Trump Calls Off Planned Strikes on Iran Following Productive Discussions...

Donald Trump has announced a pause on planned strikes against Iran’s energy infrastructure, citing what he called “very good conversations” aimed at de-escalating tensions, despite Tehran’s denial of any ongoing peace negotiations. The U.S. President stated that over the past two days, the United States and Iran engaged in “very good and productive conversations” focused on achieving a “complete and total resolution of our hostilities.” In light of these discussions, Trump instructed the Department of Defense to “postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period.” He emphasized, however, that this suspension is contingent upon the progress and outcomes of the ongoing talks. Meanwhile, Iranian state media has refuted Trump’s assertions, maintaining that no direct or indirect negotiations with the U.S. are taking place. A source from within the Iranian regime mocked Trump’s decision, suggesting that his retreat was prompted by the realization that Iran’s targets would extend to all power stations in West Asia. Markets rocketed after Trump’s Truth Social post, with the Dow surging 1,000 points in pre-market trading, the S&P and Nasdaq each jumping more than 2 percent, while oil dropped 10 percent. Trump’s ceasefire announcement comes after he threatened over the weekend to bomb Iran’s electricity grid unless the regime reopened the Strait of Hormuz with 48 hours. Iran responded by ignoring Trump’s deadline, vowing to strike water and energy facilities in the Middle East. Trump downplayed any sense of ongoing diplomacy with Tehran amid the secret peace talks this weekend. Iranian authorities also warned that they would deploy naval mines across the Gulf on Monday if the US attempted to invade its coasts or islands. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war has caused a global oil and energy crisis. Gas prices have surged to an average of $4.00 a gallon nationwide up from $2.90 before the conflict began three weeks ago. The narrow strait – through which a fifth of the world’s oil flows – remains blocked by the threat of Iranian mines and missiles. Tehran, so far, has not promised to reopen the passageway. Iran’s stranglehold over the Hormuz is seen as it’s greatest leverage of the US in the ongoing conflict. Closing the Strait of Hormuz has proven relatively inexpensive for the regime, relying on drones and explosive suicide boats to disrupt global shipping. Trump previously threatened to use US troops to seize the small, rocky Kharg Island located in the Persian Gulf, where 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports. Earlier this month, US precision strikes on the island reportedly destroyed 90 Iranian military targets, including aerial and naval defenses. Iran has warned that any attempt to seize the island would spark retaliatory strikes against Gulf oil facilities and the mining of all shipping routes in the region. Brent crude as of Monday morning has fallen 13% to $96 a barrel following Trump’s announcement of peace talks. It is unclear what Trump’s ceasefire will focus on or whether Israel will be involved in the discussions. US and Iranian diplomats have previously clashed over the regime’s ballistic missile and nuclear enrichment programs, as well as their current defense stockpiles. The Daily Mail has contacted the White House for comment.