Trump Pauses Planned Strikes on Iran for Five Days Amid Ongoing Talks

Washington, March 2026 : US President Donald Trump on Monday announced that he has directed the country’s defence establishment to temporarily halt planned airstrikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a period of five days, citing progress in ongoing diplomatic engagements.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the United States and Iran had held “very good and productive conversations” over the past two days, raising hopes for a broader resolution of hostilities in the Middle East. Based on the “tenor and tone” of these discussions, he said he had instructed the US Department of Defense to delay any imminent military action.

The pause, however, remains conditional. Trump clarified that the decision would depend on the success of ongoing meetings and negotiations, suggesting that military options remain on the table if talks fail to produce results.

The announcement marks a shift from Trump’s earlier aggressive stance. Just days ago, he had issued a strong warning to Iran, threatening to “hit and obliterate” its power plants within 48 hours if Tehran did not reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The warning underscored rising tensions over the waterway, which is critical for global oil and gas shipments.

Despite the escalation, Trump indicated that the United States was close to achieving its military objectives in the region. He outlined key goals of the campaign, including significantly weakening Iran’s missile capabilities, dismantling its defence industrial base, and neutralising its naval and air power, including anti-aircraft systems.

A central focus of US strategy, Trump reiterated, has been to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities. He stressed that Washington remains committed to ensuring that Iran does not come close to developing such capabilities, while maintaining readiness for a swift and decisive response if required.

At the same time, Trump highlighted the importance of protecting US allies in the Middle East, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait. He said safeguarding these partners remains a top priority for the United States.

Interestingly, Trump also suggested that the responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz should not rest solely with the US. He said that nations benefiting from the route should take the lead in policing it, with the US willing to assist if requested.

In a series of posts, Trump claimed significant success in the military campaign, asserting that Iran’s defence capabilities had been severely weakened and its leadership structure disrupted. He also dismissed criticism from sections of the US media, stating that objectives had been achieved “weeks ahead of schedule.”

The temporary pause in strikes signals a potential diplomatic opening, even as uncertainties remain over the outcome of ongoing negotiations.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)