Trump postpones strikes on Iran power plants

US President Donald Trump on Monday extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, saying the United States would hold off on threatened strikes against Iranian power plants for five days.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump also held out the possibility of a resolution to the conflict, stating that “very good and productive conversations” were underway, though Iranian officials denied that any negotiations were taking place. The move appeared to offer a reprieve after the US and Iran traded threats with potentially serious consequences for civilians across the region.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said Iran wanted “to make a deal” and claimed US envoys, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, held talks with a “respected” Iranian leader on Sunday, adding that discussions would continue.
However, Trump did not name any Iranian representatives and said there had been no contact with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. He added that if a deal was reached, the US would move to secure Iran’s enriched uranium linked to its nuclear programme.
The extension marked a shift from his earlier warning that the US would “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran failed to reopen the Strait within 48 hours, a deadline that would have expired late Monday.
Iranian state television described the delay as a US “backdown”, while the Revolutionary Guard warned it would target US-linked infrastructure if attacked.