Why Trump backflipped on 48-hour deadline threat to bomb Iran’s energy infrastructure

Trump pauses Iran strikes as Hormuz tensions shake markets. US President Donald Trump has retreated from histhreat to bomb Iran’s power plants, signalling a shift in tone more than three weeks after Washington and Israel launched strikes on the Islamic Republic. The announcement follows 24 days of risingtension that disrupted global energy marketsand pushed the region closer to wider conflict.

In a post on Truth Social, on Monday Trump said the United States would delay planned strikes on Iranian power infrastructure for five days after what he described as “very good and productive conversations” between the two sides. He said he had instructed the US Department of War to postpone “any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure” while talks continue. The move marks a clear retreat from a 48-hour ultimatum issued only days earlier. Over the weekend, Trump warned Tehran that Washington would begin destroying major Iranian power stations unless shipping resumed through the Strait of Hormuz within two days.