DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States would postpone its threatening strikes against Iranian power reactors for five days, extending the deadline for Iran to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
Trump also hinted at a potential end to the conflict in his Truth Social statement, despite Iranian officials denying any talks were taking place. After the United States and Iran exchanged threats that may have disastrous consequences for civilians throughout the region, Trump’s reversal seemed to provide a measure of relief.
Iran wants “to make a deal,” Trump later told reporters, adding that U.S. envoys have been in negotiations with a “respected” Iranian leader. He said that conversations between Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and his Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff continued into the evening on Sunday.
Trump did not identify a Tehranian official or authorities. He claimed that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, had not heard from the United States. According to Trump, the United States will take action to seize Iran’s enriched uranium, which is essential to its contested nuclear program, if an agreement is made.
Hours before the deadline was about to expire, Iranian state television announced that Trump had backed down “following Iran’s firm warning” shortly after his social media declaration.
The conflict, which is currently in its fourth week, has already witnessed a number of significant turning points, including the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader, the bombing of a vital Iranian gas field, and attacks on civilian infrastructure in Gulf Arab countries as well as oil and gas facilities. Over 2,000 people have died in the battle, which has also rocked the international economy, driven up oil prices, and put some of the busiest flight routes in the world in jeopardy.
The most recent threats might have shut off energy to massive populations in Iran and the Gulf and wrecked desalination plants that provide drinking water to several dry countries. There is also rising concern about the impact of any strikes on nuclear installations.
