Trump calls off strikes on Iranian energy

The US Department of War has been ordered to temporarily suspend plans for military strikes on Iranian energy facilities, President Donald Trump announced on Monday following negotiations with Tehran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the two sides had had “very good and productive conversations” over the past two days regarding a “complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.”

He stated that based on the “tenor and tone of these in depth, detailed and constructive conversations,” he has ordered 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 and discussions.”

On Saturday, Trump had vowed to “obliterate” Iran’s power facilities unless Tehran restored navigation in the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane within 48 hours.

Iran has kept the waterway mostly closed to shipping since the US and Israel launched their unprovoked attack on the country late last month. The disruption, combined with strikes on oil and gas infrastructure across the Gulf, has caused a spike in global energy prices.