US President Trump Delays Military Strikes on Iranian Power Plants Temporarily

US President Donald Trump Announces Postponement of Military Strikes Against Iranian Infrastructure

In a statement released on his Truth Social platform on Monday, US President Donald Trump announced that he has instructed the Department of War to postpone military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period. This decision comes after Trump held “good and productive conversations” with Tehran over the past two days.

According to Trump’s statement, the goal of these discussions is to achieve a complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East. The US President also reiterated his previous warning to Iran, stating that if the country does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels within 48 hours, the US would take “obliterating” action against Iranian power plants.

Iran had previously stated that it would completely shut down the strait, a critical transit point for approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies. The de facto blockade has led to an increase in global oil prices and shortages of cooking gas in several Asian countries.

The International Energy Agency’s head, Fatih Birol, described the situation as “very severe” and warned that it is worse than the two energy crises of the 1970s combined. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded by stating that if the US proceeds with its threat, Iran would target power plants in regions supplying electricity to US bases, as well as American economic and industrial interests.

The country’s Defence Council also warned that any attack on Iran’s southern coast or islands would prompt the laying of sea mines, which could sever Gulf shipping routes.

Source: Al Jazeera