A sudden shift in tone from the White House is raising hopes that the war with Iran could slow down.
President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran held “very good and productive” talks over the past two days.
He described the discussions as detailed and constructive, pointing to a possible path toward ending the conflict.
The announcement came as tensions in the Middle East remain high after weeks of military strikes.
Trump Pauses Military Action
Following the talks, Trump said he ordered the Department of Defense to delay planned strikes on Iranian energy and power infrastructure.
The pause will last five days and depends on the progress of ongoing negotiations.
Officials have not released full details about the talks or who is leading the discussions on each side.
Updates from the White House can be found at the official White House website.
A Sharp Change in Strategy
The decision marks a clear shift from Trump’s earlier stance.
Just one day before, he warned that the US could target Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened quickly.
That warning raised fears of a wider conflict that could disrupt global energy supply.
Now, the focus appears to be moving toward diplomacy.
Global Markets React Quickly
Financial markets responded within hours of Trump’s announcement.
Oil prices dropped sharply as investors reacted to the possibility of reduced conflict.
Brent crude fell by about 15 percent, while US West Texas Intermediate dropped more than 13 percent.
These changes reflect how closely global energy markets follow developments in the region.
Market updates can be tracked through sources like Reuters Markets.
What the Talks Could Mean
The talks could mark the first step toward a broader agreement between the two countries.
Trump said the tone of the discussions was positive, but he did not confirm any final deal.
Iran has not publicly released its own detailed response to the talks.
Experts say even small diplomatic progress could ease tensions in the region.
What Happens Next
The next five days are expected to be critical.
If talks continue to show progress, military action could remain on hold.
If negotiations fail, the conflict could escalate again.
For now, the world is watching closely as both sides test whether diplomacy can succeed where force has not.