US will hold off on Iran power plant strikes for 5 days, extending Trump deadline on Hormuz strait

President Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, postponing potential U.S. strikes against Iranian power plants for five days, according to an announcement made on his Truth Social platform.

The declaration came just hours before Trump’s self-imposed deadline was set to expire. In his statement, written in capital letters, Trump cited “very good and productive conversations” with Iran that could lead to “a complete and total resolution” in the ongoing conflict. He indicated that discussions would continue throughout the week, with the suspension of military action “subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”

While Trump offered no specifics about the negotiations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged speaking with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. Turkey has previously served as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington. The announcement coincided with reports from the United Arab Emirates that its air defense systems were attempting to intercept new incoming Iranian fire on Monday afternoon.

Earlier the same day, Iran had threatened to strike electricity plants across the Middle East and mine the Persian Gulf in response to Trump’s initial ultimatum. The conflict, now in its fourth week, has witnessed several dramatic escalations, including the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, bombing of a key Iranian gas field, and strikes targeting civilian infrastructure across Gulf Arab nations.

The war has already claimed more than 2,000 lives, destabilized global energy markets, sent oil prices surging, and endangered critical air corridors. The exchange of threats between Trump and Iranian officials raised the possibility of catastrophic consequences for civilians throughout the region, potentially cutting electricity to millions and disrupting desalination plants that provide essential drinking water to desert nations.

The unprecedented escalation demonstrates how rapidly the conflict has intensified since February 28, when the United States and Israel began their bombing campaign against Iran. Trump’s original threat to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants came in response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes.

While Iran maintains the strait remains open to countries not allied with the U.S. or Israel, the restriction has severely disrupted global commerce. “No country will be immune to the effects of this crisis if it continues to go in this direction,” warned Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had vowed to retaliate against any attack on power plants, promising to target energy infrastructure across the region, including facilities in which “Americans have shares.” Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf specifically mentioned desalination facilities critical for drinking water in Gulf nations. Iran’s Fars news agency, closely aligned with the Revolutionary Guard, published a list of potential targets, including the UAE’s nuclear power plant.

In a separate development, U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper claimed in an interview that Iran was launching missiles and drones from populated areas. Cooper warned Iranian civilians to “stay inside for right now” and stated that U.S. and Israeli operations aimed not just at current threats but at eliminating “the threat of the future” by targeting infrastructure and manufacturing facilities.

Israel has continued its military campaign, launching new strikes on Tehran on Monday and targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun characterized Israel’s bombing of bridges as “a prelude to a ground invasion,” while Egypt condemned the strikes as “collective punishment” of civilians. Lebanese authorities report that Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced over a million.

Oil prices remain elevated, with Brent crude trading around $113 per barrel—approximately 55% higher than before the conflict began. The economic impact extends far beyond energy markets. UN official Jorge Moreira da Silva highlighted “exponential price hikes in oil, fuel and gas” affecting millions, particularly in developing countries across Asia and Africa. South Korean chemical giant LG Chem has been forced to shut down a major industrial plant due to disruptions in the supply of naphtha, a petroleum product essential for plastic manufacturing.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the five-day extension of Trump’s deadline provides a narrow window for potential de-escalation in a conflict that has rapidly grown into a regional crisis with global implications.