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3. Trump to Postpone Strikes on Iran Power Plants After ‘Productive’ Talks

Trump announced on Monday that the United States and Iran have engaged in what he described as “very good and productive” talks over the past two days, aimed at achieving a comprehensive resolution to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Citing the constructive tone of the discussions, Trump said he has ordered a temporary five-day postponement of any U.S. military strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, contingent on continued progress in the negotiations.

A senior source in Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Al Markazia that it denies statements made by Trump regarding negotiations between the United States and Iran. According to Mehr News Agency, the Foreign Ministry argued that U.S. President’s remarks were aimed at driving down global energy prices rather than reflecting genuine diplomatic progress. 

Direct Impact On Oil Prices

According to reports, global oil markets tumbled sharply in early Monday trading, with crude prices dropping by roughly 10% after Trump announced constructive talks between the United States and Iran. The drop eased investor concerns over potential supply disruptions and signaled a possible de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East energy corridor. 

Trump’s social media post regarding the strikes came as the conflict with Iran entered its fourth week.

In parallel, futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 2.6% ahead of the opening bell. U.S. benchmark crude fell $8.23 to $90 per barrel, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, declined $9.02 to $103.17 per barrel.

‘Major Points of Agreement’

Trump also said Monday that there are "major points of agreement" in US-Iran talks which he said must result in Tehran giving up its nuclear ambitions and enriched uranium stockpile.

Trump said the talks -- which Iran denies are taking place -- were being conducted with a "top person" but not the country's supreme leader.

"We've wiped out the leadership phase one, phase two, and largely phase three. But we're dealing with the man who I believe is the most respected and the leader," Trump told reporters. "We want no enrichment, but we also want the enriched uranium."

Iran Warns of Retaliatory Strikes

Following President Trump’s statment, Iran warned on Monday, ‘If you hit electricity, we hit electricity.’ The statement warned Iran would target electrical plants in Israel and across the Middle East if U.S. President Trump carried out his threat to bomb power stations in the Islamic Republic. The warning also included plans to mine the “entire Persian Gulf.”

Iranian media, Tasnim, cited a security official as saying that Trump’s five day ultimatum signals he will continue his plan and will keep responding and defending the U.S. with full force.

The threats, issued hours before what was initially a Trump-imposed deadline, raised concerns over the safety of both electricity and water supplies in Gulf Arab states, where power stations are often integrated with desalination plants essential for drinking water.

Iran’s semiofficial Fars news agency published a list of potential targets, citing military sources: “All power plants, energy infrastructure, and information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure of the Zionist regime will be widely targeted.”

The warnings came just before Trump delayed the planned strikes, signaling heightened tensions in the region.