Trump says US to postpone strikes on Iranian energy infra for five days, Iran denies negotiations

US President Donald Trump said the United States will postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period.

He said, “I am please to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.”

Trump added that the conversations were “in depth, detailed, and constructive” and will continue throughout the week.

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— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 23, 2026

Based on the tenor and tone of these discussions, he said he has instructed the Department of War to delay the strikes, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.

Though Trump did not comment on Israel’s actions or intentions.

Reacting on Trump’s claim MB Ghalibaf, Speaker of Islamic Republic of Iran’s Parliament said that no negotiations have been held with the US, and fake news is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.

In a post on X, he added, “Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors. All Irainan officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and people until this goal is achieved.”

2/ No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) March 23, 2026

Earlier, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency had reported that there has been no direct or indirect contact with US President Donald Trump, contradicting Trump’s claim of “productive talks.” Citing sources, Fars had reported that Washington retreated after being warned Iran would target power plants across West Asia if its own energy infrastructure was hit, amid escalating threats over potential US strikes.

Stock futures surged sharply after Trump’s comment. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures surged 1,130 points, or 2.5%, in a sudden move following the comments. S&P 500 futures rose 2.3%, while Nasdaq-100 futures advanced 2.2%. The gains came immediately after Trump’s statement on the talks and the decision to pause planned strikes.

Also Read: Iran threatens to ‘completely’ shut Strait of Hormuz after Trump’s warning

Crude prices dropped sharply following the remarks, with West Texas Intermediate futures falling more than 9% to below $90 a barrel, and Brent crude declining over 13% to below $97 a barrel.