Trump announces five-day pause on Iran energy strikes after 'productive' talks

US President Donald Trump said Monday he had instructed the Pentagon to postpone planned strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for five days after what he described as “very good and productive” talks between Washington and Tehran.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that the two capitals “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.”

“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,” he continued.

Iran, meanwhile, denied any talks were taking place, casting Trump’s announcement as backtracking and vowing to continue defending itself until it achieves “necessary deterrence.” It also warned that stability in the Strait of Hormuz and energy markets remains unlikely.

“There has not been and is not any negotiation going on,” a senior Iranian security official told Tasnim News Agency.

Trump’s announcement came after he issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, warning that the United States would otherwise begin striking Iranian energy infrastructure. Oil prices surged to around $100-$110 per barrel amid supply fears.

Oil prices fell 9% after Trump's announcement, with Brent Crude easing from around $110 a barrel to $101.94 as of 7:04 a.m. ET on Monday.

Iran effectively sealed off the strait in response to earlier US and Israeli strikes, disrupting a critical global oil chokepoint and triggering market volatility.

Some 4,000-4,500 US marines are heading to the region in a move aimed at expanding Trump’s military options, though their arrival will take time.

This is a developing story and has been updated.