Trump backs down on strikes on Iran's power network, says US and Tehran holding talks - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxNWUdURG8xREZXeEtKd25iNE45dnpiSlpVbG9RSS03S01rQWtvb19fVDF0eWZBZUxqR2k2QU13R3pOOEhycUdZU0VoWGlsbllSQkYyTVhkejZxbjYtZ08wdjdTZTkwT01wSi05OUtlZ0dMUU5RQzhjT1JoNTFReWcyY0p1b0loTXAyMDYzR25memU4aU0wQTlJOE9SUQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump backs down on strikes on Iran's power network, says US and Tehran holding talks</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

President Trump announced that U.S. envoys recently engaged in discussions with a senior Iranian official, asserting the negotiations were productive and that both sides agree on many points. This revelation comes after Trump withdrew his threat to strike Iran’s power plants, initially triggered by Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized the seriousness of the talks while clarifying that Iran's Supreme Leader has not directly participated.

As of March 23, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. is in indirect communication with a “respected” Iranian leader and has extended a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by five days, delaying threatened strikes on Iranian power infrastructure. This development marks a potential shift in the war between the U.S. and Iran, now entering its fourth week, which has already cost over 2,000 lives, disrupted global markets, and destabilized the region.

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a five-day extension of the deadline for Iran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, delaying potential U.S. airstrikes on Iranian power plants. Trump claimed "productive conversations" with a respected Iranian leader, despite Tehran's public denials of any negotiations. Iranian state media hailed Trump's delay as a victory, while financial markets reacted positively, with oil prices dropping sharply and U.S. stocks rebounding.

In a recent escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran, former President Donald Trump claimed that "productive" peace talks were underway, leading him to delay military strikes on Iranian power plants. Trump announced a five-day postponement, citing constructive discussions and the potential for a full resolution of conflicts in the Middle East. However, Iranian sources swiftly contradicted Trump's assertions. Citing both Iranian media and an official statement from Iran's embassy in Kabul, they denied any direct or indirect communication with the U.S., attributing Trump's pause to Iran's firm threats of retaliation against regional infrastructure if attacked. Iranian officials asserted that the U.S. was deterred by the warning, not ongoing diplomacy.