US halts strikes on Iran's power plants; retreated after warning, says Iran

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he had ordered a five-day pause on planned military strikes targeting Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, citing “very good and productive” talks with Tehran as discussions continued. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has reportedly rejected his claim.

The move came after Trump had set a deadline until late Monday for Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping, warning that the US would otherwise destroy its power plants.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “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.”

“Based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed and constructive conversations, which 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 and discussions,” he added.

However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said there had been no contact between Tehran and Washington, and that Trump’s claim was aimed at lowering energy prices and buying time to pursue military plans, according to Press TV, which cited a source speaking to IRIB News.

Soon after the announcement, Iranian state television, as quoted by the Associated Press, said, “US president backs down following Iran’s firm warning.”

The development followed a warning from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards that Tehran would target Israel’s power facilities and infrastructure supporting US bases in the Gulf if Washington carried out its threat to “obliterate” Iran’s power network.

Meanwhile, news agency Reuters reported on Saturday, citing an Iranian official, that the United States had sought a meeting with Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, without disclosing a possible venue.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Iran’s Supreme National Security Council had not yet taken a decision on the request and that Tehran had not responded so far.

On Saturday, Trump had said Iranian power plants would be destroyed if Tehran did not “fully open” the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping within 48 hours, setting a deadline for late Monday.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for roughly a fifth of global oil and LNG supplies, has remained disrupted since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, said the resulting disruption to energy markets was more severe than both the oil shocks of the 1970s and the gas crisis triggered by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine combined

Iran’s Defence Council further escalated its warning, saying it would mine key Gulf shipping routes if the US proceeded with military action, according to state media.

“Any attempt to attack Iran’s coasts or islands will lead to all access routes in the Gulf being mined,” the council said, adding that such a move would effectively render the wider Gulf region as restricted as the Strait of Hormuz.

Separately, Iranian media cited the country’s representative to the International Maritime Organisation as saying the strait remained open to most shipping, except vessels linked to what it described as “Iran’s enemies”. Indian and Pakistani vessels were among those reportedly allowed safe passage.