Trump Sets 5-Day Pause on Iran Strikes, Claims Progress in Strait of Hormuz Talks
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday a five-day pause on potential military strikes against Iran, citing “productive” talks aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. The unexpected move came as Tehran launched what has been described as its most destructive attack yet on Israel.
Trump initially issued an ultimatum to Iran, demanding the immediate reopening of the vital waterway or facing the destruction of its energy infrastructure. However, on the day the ultimatum was set to expire, he spoke of “important points of agreement” reached with Iran, including a purported commitment from Tehran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons. “They’ve agreed not to have it,” Trump stated.
These claims were swiftly and vehemently denied by Iranian officials. Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, accused Trump of lying and asserted that no negotiations were taking place. He alleged that the claims were “false news” intended to manipulate financial and oil markets and to alleviate pressure on the United States and Israel.
Despite the denial, Trump insisted the discussions were ongoing and expressed cautious optimism. “We’ll see where it goes. They desperately want a deal, and we want a deal too. But it has to be a good deal,” he said, adding there was a “real chance” of an agreement. The U.S. is seeking guarantees from Iran regarding the abandonment of uranium enrichment and the swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, potentially under joint control with the U.S. and Iran’s supreme leader.
The identity of the Iranian official involved in the talks remains unclear, though Trump indicated it was a high-ranking figure but not Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. According to reports, Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey are mediating, attempting to facilitate a meeting in Islamabad later this week between an Iranian delegation led by Ghalibaf and a U.S. team including Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and potentially the Vice President. JD Vance has reportedly been in contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the negotiations and potential terms for ending the conflict.
The developments have sparked surprise in Tel Aviv, with Israel reportedly informed in advance of Trump’s announcement and the pause in threatened strikes. However, Israeli officials do not anticipate an immediate end to the conflict.
The pause in threats and prospect of talks have already impacted global markets, causing oil prices to plummet and boosting financial markets. Critics have suggested Trump’s shift is primarily aimed at reassuring investors, pointing to the timing of the announcement ahead of market closures and the arrival of additional naval forces in the region.
The situation remains fluid and highly sensitive, with the potential for escalation remaining significant. The international community is closely monitoring developments, hoping for a diplomatic resolution to the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Pour aller plus loin