Trump suspends attacks on Iranian power plants after peace talks

United States President Donald Trump has directed the postponement of any military strikes against Iranian power plants for five days.

Trump announced this via a post on Truth Social on Monday, March 23, 2026.

The post comes just hours ahead of a deadline that threatened further escalation in the Middle East conflict now in its fourth week.

Trump noted that the U.S. and Iran have had “very good and productive” conversations with Iran over the past two days about a “complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.”

In his message, written entirely in capital letters, he said he had instructed the defense department to postpone the strikes pending the outcome of current talks.

Trump noted: “I am pleased to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.

“Based on the tenor and tone of these in depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The price of the Brent crude oil benchmark was down around 7% near $104 at 1127 GMT.

Latest developments in Middle East war

On Saturday, Trump had warned that Iranian power plants would be destroyed if Tehran failed to “fully open” the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping within 48 hours. Trump set a deadline of around 7:44 p.m. (2344 GMT) on Monday.

His comments sparked threats of retaliation from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, which said in a statement on Monday they would attack Israel’s power plants and those supplying U.S. bases across the Gulf region if Trump followed through with his threat to “obliterate” Iran’s power network.

The threat of strikes on Gulf electricity grids raised fears of mass disruption to desalination plants for drinking water, and further rattled oil markets.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

$4.5bn fraud: How Emefiele used associates to acquire properties — Witness

A witness has narrated to the Special Offences Court sitting in the Ikeja area of…

7 hours ago

ICPC recovers N5.3bn from 7 states, FCT councils

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recovered more than N5.3bn…

8 hours ago

Police arrest four over slaughter of 84 chickens, theft of 13 egg crates in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has arrested four men for allegedly slaughtering 84 chickens and…

9 hours ago

Court orders Maina’s son to begin seven-year jail term

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Faisal Maina, son of former Pension Reform…

9 hours ago

EFCC arraigns musician Felix Duke over N21.2m fraud

A Lagos State High Court has granted musician Felix Duke Osagie, popularly known as Felix…

9 hours ago

Businessman faces trial over £122,000 investment fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a businessman, Ashley Segun Oshin, over…

9 hours ago

This website uses cookies.