U.S. President Donald Trump has extended the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Tehran could face strikes on its energy infrastructure if it fails to comply.
The announcement comes as the four-week conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, leaving thousands dead and pushing global energy prices higher, raising concerns about rising inflation worldwide.
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28 while negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program were still underway but had not yet produced an agreement.
During a cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump warned that Washington would increase pressure on Tehran if it refused to reach a deal. Later, in a post on Truth Social, he said the United States would pause threatened attacks on Iranian energy facilities for 10 days, until April 6 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Trump insisted that negotiations were progressing despite reports suggesting otherwise.
“Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media and others, they are going very well,” he wrote.
However, Iranian officials maintain that no talks are taking place with Washington. Tehran has also pointed out that several senior officials were killed during the recent fighting, raising questions about who could represent the country in any negotiations.
Earlier, on March 23, Trump had announced a five-day halt to potential strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure, but that pause has now been extended to 10 days.
Speaking to Fox News on the program “The Five,” Trump claimed Iranian representatives had requested a seven-day pause on attacks targeting energy facilities.
Tehran has not immediately responded to the latest extension. However, mediators cited by The Wall Street Journal said Iran had not asked for a 10-day pause.
Iran has warned that if the United States carries out strikes on its energy infrastructure, it would retaliate by targeting energy facilities in the Gulf region.