US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday (March 26) that he had extended the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to April 6, backing away from an earlier threat of military strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure.
The move signals a temporary de-escalation of what has quickly been heightened tensions in the region.
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“The talks to end the conflict are going very well,” Trump said, explaining his decision to delay potential military action.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “At the request of the Iranian government, please let this statement serve as a statement that I am suspending the period of destruction of the energy plant for 10 days until Monday, April 6, 2026, 8:00 PM ET. Talks are continuing and are going very well, despite false statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media and others.”
Warning against threats and retaliation
The expansion follows a series of escalating warnings. Trump initially threatened to bomb Iran’s energy facilities unless Tehran opened a critical shipping route, a critical point for global oil supplies.
In response, Iran warned it could retaliate by targeting key infrastructure in the Gulf states.
Diplomatic signals and conflicting stories
Earlier this week, Trump signaled progress in negotiations: “We had very good and productive talks,” he said, referring to reported talks between Washington and Tehran.
But Iranian officials quickly pushed back, dismissing claims of direct talks as: “Fake news.”
Despite public disapproval, there appears to be diplomatic activity behind the scenes.
Peace proposals are emerging
The United States reportedly presented a 15-point peace proposal through mediators in Pakistan. In response, Iranian media say Tehran has outlined five conditions for an end to hostilities.
These reportedly include:
-Long-term safety guarantees
– Clear commitments to prevent future conflicts
Neither side has officially confirmed the full details of these proposals.
Trump’s mixed message
Even as he extended the deadline, Trump had earlier struck a mixed note about the deal’s prospects: “Iran is begging for a deal,” he claimed, adding that he was not sure he was “willing” to reach a deal.
