Trump claims Iran sought pause, warns of power plant attacks if talks fail
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he has extended the deadline for possible American strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure by 10 days, pushing the window to April 6, amid the ongoing Iran-US war that has disrupted global energy supplies for nearly a month. Speaking to Fox News, Trump claimed Iran had requested a seven-day pause in attacks, but he decided to allow more time for diplomatic engagement between the two sides.
Trump said Iran reached out indirectly to the US administration seeking additional time, warning that the US would still act if Tehran failed to meet its commitments. “They said to me very nicely, through my people, ‘Could we have more time?’ Because we’re talking about tomorrow night, which is pretty quick, and if they don’t do what they have to do, I will knock out their power plants,” Trump stated. His remarks mark a shift from his earlier warning that Washington would strike Iran’s energy facilities if the Strait of Hormuz remained shut.
Iran denies request, WSJ report contradicts Trump’s claim
However, reports suggest Iran may not have sought any such pause. The Wall Street Journal cited mediators saying Tehran did not request a halt in energy sector attacks, directly contradicting Trump’s statement. The conflicting versions highlight the uncertainty surrounding the diplomatic track, as both sides issue mixed messages amid intensifying military and political pressure.
Trump claims US has ‘already won’ militarily
Trump also claimed that the US has already achieved military victory in the conflict, stating that combined US and Israeli strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s naval and missile capabilities. He said the US has “already won the war militarily,” signalling confidence in Washington’s position while keeping the threat of escalation on the table.
Strait of Hormuz threat keeps global oil markets on edge
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the conflict, as Iran has repeatedly warned of retaliation if the US attacks its energy sector. Tehran has threatened to target key regional infrastructure, including desalination plants, in response to any American strikes. With the crucial shipping route still facing uncertainty, global markets remain on edge, and analysts warn that further escalation could worsen disruptions in oil supply and push prices higher.
