The United States (US) has postponed potential military action against Iran after officials described very good and productive discussions between the two countries over the past two days.
According to a statement, the talks focused on achieving a complete resolution of hostilities in the Middle East. The discussions were described as in-depth, detailed, and constructive, with further meetings expected to continue throughout the week.
In a statement posted on social media, US President Donald Trump said he was pleased to report that the United States and Iran have held very positive and productive talks over the past two days, aimed at reaching a complete and final resolution to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Trump stated that, in light of these deep, detailed and constructive discussions, he has instructed the Department of War to postpone any military action against Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure for five days.
The US president added that this decision is conditional on the success of the ongoing meetings and negotiations. He further said that talks with Iranian officials will continue throughout the week.
It is worth noting that Trump had previously threatened action related to the Strait of Hormuz, setting a 48-hour deadline. He had warned that if the situation was not resolved within that timeframe, the United States would target Iranian power plants. That deadline was due to expire today. US media reports indicate that Trump’s announcement marks the first formal confirmation of talks aimed at ending Operation Epic Fury.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump had given Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which expired at 7:00 a.m. Pakistan time on Monday. He had warned that failure to comply would result in US strikes on Iranian power plants.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had made it clear that any attack on Iran’s power infrastructure would be met with retaliation. It warned that power plants supplying electricity to US bases, as well as Israeli power facilities, could be targeted. The IRGC also stated that if Iran’s coastline or islands were attacked, communication routes in the Persian Gulf could be mined.
Meanwhile, Masoud Pezeshkian said that any aggression would be met with a decisive response. He added that the notion of erasing Iran from the map reflects the desperation of it and that threats and coercive tactics would only strengthen the Iranian nation rather than weaken it. He further stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all countries that respect Iran’s sovereignty.
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