President Donald Trump says the United States has held talks with Iran aimed at the “complete and total resolution of hostilities” in the Middle East, in a move that has eased immediate fears of escalation.
“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 Monday in all caps on his Truth Social platform.
“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.”
Speaking to reporters at a Florida airport, Trump said Iran wanted “to make a deal” and US envoys have been holding talks with a “respected” Iranian leader but not Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. He asserted that Iran must give up its enriched uranium stockpile for a deal.
The US president also said the Strait of Hormuz would be opened very soon if an agreement is reached.
“If a deal happens, it’s a great start for Iran and the region,” he said, adding that he could not guarantee a deal with Tehran. The US president claimed that the Iranians called him for talks and not the other way round.
Earlier, Trump told the Fox Business Network that Tehran wants to make a deal badly and it could happen within five days. He said his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were engaged in talks most recently on Sunday night.
Trump’s comments came as the US-Israeli war on Iran has spurred a widening crisis across the Middle East, with Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting countries across the region and sending global oil prices soaring.
In an effort to lower energy prices, Trump on Saturday gave Tehran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels, warning that otherwise the US would “obliterate” Iran’s power plants.
Trump’s ultimatum was aimed at ending Tehran’s chokehold on the Gulf waterway, through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass.
Wall Street stocks mostly rose early on Monday after Trump said Washington and Tehran had held “very good” talks. Oil prices – which have spiked since February 28, the day the US and Israel launched their war on Iran – were down sharply on Monday.
But Iranian officials denied that any talks had taken place between Washington and Tehran.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Monday that “no negotiations have been held with the US”, accusing Trump of trying to “manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped”.
His latest remarks mark a more conciliatory tone, even as tensions remain high and key details of the talks have not been disclosed.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil, has been central to the crisis, with world leaders stressing the need for its reopening to stabilise energy markets.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also held a 20-minute call with Trump, during which both leaders agreed that reopening the waterway is “essential to resume global shipping,” according to Downing Street.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces said it expects “several more weeks of fighting” against Iran and Hezbollah, underscoring ongoing military tensions despite diplomatic overtures.
