US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had halted his threatening attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure after what he described as very “good and productive” talks with Tehran, adding that talks would continue later this week.
Trump’s statement followed Iran’s threat to attack Israeli power plants and equipment supplying US bases in the Persian Gulf if Washington struck Iran’s energy grid.
Read Trump’s full statement
“I am pleased to report that the United States and Iran have had very good and productive discussions over the past two days regarding a full and complete resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East. Based on the content and tone of these in-depth, detailed and constructive discussions, which will continue throughout the week, I have directed the War Department to postpone for five days all subject military strikes against Iran’s power plants and the period of success of Iran’s power plants and discussions.”
On Saturday, Trump warned that Iran’s power plants would be destroyed unless Tehran “fully” reopens the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping within 48 hours, setting a deadline of around 7:44 p.m. EDT on Monday.
Iran’s actions effectively closed the strait, a vital route for about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas trade.
The war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28 has killed more than 2,000 people, disrupted global markets, raised fuel prices, raised fears of inflation and shaken the post-war Western alliance, Reuters reports.
(This is a developing story. More to come)
