Advertisement
Can 5 days end the war? Trump signals de-escalation in Iran, but experts say it won’t last
Donald Trump says US will pause military strikes on power plants following talks, but Iranian officials deny negotiations are taking place
5-MIN READ5-MIN
80
Listen
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US would halt military strikes on Iranian power plants for five days following discussions with Tehran, but Iranian officials quickly denied talks were ongoing, labelling them “fake news” designed to prop up financial markets.
Trump said on social media that he had instructed the Department of Defence to “postpone any and all military strikes” against power and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, “subject to [the] success of ongoing meetings and discussions”.
“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,” Trump posted on social media on Monday.
Advertisement
He added that the decision was based on “in-depth, detailed and constructive conversations”, which would continue throughout the week.
But Iran’s powerful parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said a few hours later on X that no such talks had taken place with Washington.
“Fake news is being used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped,” he wrote. “Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x