Trump Postpones Iran Strikes After ‘Very Good and Productive’ Talks

US President Donald Trump has postponed planned military strikes on Iranian energy facilities, citing progress in recent diplomatic talks with Tehran. The decision was announced early Monday, just hours before the expiration of a US ultimatum tied to access through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Trump, discussions between the United States and Iran over the past two days were “very good and productive,” with further negotiations expected to continue throughout the week. He said the planned strikes would be delayed for five days to allow space for ongoing engagement, with any next steps dependent on the outcome of those talks.

The United States had issued a 48-hour deadline demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. The warning followed earlier threats from Washington to target Iranian power infrastructure if maritime access was not restored.

The diplomatic pause comes amid a broader escalation in regional conflict. Fighting intensified after the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, a joint US-Israeli campaign targeting Iranian nuclear sites, missile systems, and senior officials.

Iran has responded with missile strikes on US positions in the Gulf and on cities in Israel, while also disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The closure has contributed to rising oil prices, which have surpassed $126 per barrel, and increased volatility in global markets.

Casualties continue to rise across the region, with reports indicating more than 2,000 deaths in Iran, Lebanon, and Israel.

Despite the temporary halt in US strike plans, tensions remain high. Iranian officials have warned that further attacks could lead to the mining of the Persian Gulf, while Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has continued military operations in Lebanon.