Trump delays strikes on Iran’s energy grid by five days, claims productive talks
Iran, however, categorically denied any negotiations with Washington
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday a five-day moratorium on the threatened attacks against Iran’s energy infrastructure, hours before the 48-hour ultimatum he issued on Saturday demanding Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz was set to expire.
I am pleased to report that the United States of America and the country of 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, Trump wrote on Truth Social. He said the suspension of strikes was subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions and that talks would continue throughout the week.
Iran, however, categorically denied any negotiations with Washington. There is no dialogue between Tehran and Washington, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said, according to state news agency IRNA. The ministry attributed Trump’s statements to efforts to reduce energy prices and buy time to implement his military plans. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also denied any direct contact and called the claims fake news.
However, a senior Iranian foreign ministry official told CBS News that Tehran had received points from the US through mediators that were being reviewed. Oman publicly confirmed its mediating role, and according to AP, Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt have also conveyed messages between the parties.
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump said the talks are being led on the American side by envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. He claimed to have spoken with a respected Iranian leader who is not Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. We have had very, very strong talks. We have major points of agreement, I would say, almost all points of agreement, he said.
The reversal came just 36 hours after Trump threatened to obliterate Iran’s power plants if the strait was not opened fully and without threat. Iran had responded by threatening to strike US energy infrastructure, desalination plants and information technology facilities across the region.
Markets reacted immediately: Brent crude fell more than 10%, dropping below $100 per barrel, and Wall Street indices rose over 1%.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with Trump and saw an opportunity to turn military gains into an agreement that would safeguard Israel’s vital interests. Nevertheless, the Israeli military announced a new wave of strikes on Tehran and continued its offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.CompartirContenido del proyectoMercoPressCreado por tiAgrega PDF, documentos u otro texto para consultar en este proyecto.
