U.S. President Donald Trump announced that recent discussions with Tehran have been “very successful and productive” regarding the Middle East situation. He instructed the Pentagon to postpone military strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for five days, although Iranian officials have denied any negotiations took place.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the talks as “deep, detailed, and constructive,” indicating that they would continue throughout the week. He emphasized the importance of these discussions in his decision to delay military action.
“I have directed the Department of Defense to postpone all military strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, contingent upon the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions,” Trump stated.
Contrarily, the Iranian news agency Fars reported, citing a source, that Tehran is not engaged in any negotiations with the U.S.
“There is no direct or indirect communication with Trump. He backed off after hearing that our targets would be all power plants in Western Asia,” the statement read.
An Iranian security official suggested that Trump’s decision to halt attacks on critical infrastructure came only after Tehran’s military threats appeared credible.
“There have been no negotiations, and under such psychological warfare, neither the Strait of Hormuz will return to a pre-war state, nor will there be peace in energy markets. Trump’s five-day ultimatum signifies a continuation of crimes against our people, and we will continue to respond and defend our country comprehensively,” the official stated.
Following Trump’s announcement, global oil prices plummeted over 13%, according to Reuters. Futures for Brent crude dropped approximately $17 (15%), reaching $96 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude fell by $13 (13.5%), settling at $85.28 per barrel.
This story is developing…
President Trump claims productive talks with Iran have led to a five-day delay in military strikes, while Iran denies any negotiations occurred. The announcement has caused a significant drop in global oil prices.