US President Donald Trump announced Monday that he has ordered a temporary halt to threatened strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure following what he described as “very good and productive conversations” with Tehran.
In an all-caps post on Truth Social early Monday, Trump wrote, “The United States and Iran have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.”
“Based on the tenor and tone [witch sic] will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings.”
The five-day pause came just hours before the expiration of a 48-hour ultimatum Trump issued on March 21, demanding Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz “without threat” or face the “obliteration” of its power facilities.
The diplomatic pause follows weeks of intense conflict in the region, widely referred to as “Operation Epic Fury,” which began February 28, 2026, with large-scale US-Israeli strikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites, missile bases, and senior leadership.
Iran has since launched retaliatory missile barrages on US bases in the Gulf and Israeli cities, while effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz — disrupting one-fifth of global oil supply and pushing Brent crude above $126 per barrel.
Humanitarian tolls have mounted, with over 2,000 deaths reported across Iran, Lebanon, and Israel.
Tensions remain high despite the pause: Iran has warned of mining the Persian Gulf if attacks continue, while Israel has maintained military operations in Lebanon.
