President Donald Trump announced Monday that he has ordered the Pentagon to suspend all planned military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, saying the pause reflects “productive” diplomatic talks aimed at ending the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. But Tehran immediately denied holding any direct negotiations with Washington — and launched a fresh wave of missiles at Israel hours later.
Trump Declares a Diplomatic Opening
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said he had instructed the Pentagon to “postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period,” citing what he described as “in-depth, detailed, and constructive conversations” with Iranian officials. He said the talks would continue throughout the week.
Speaking separately to reporters, Trump struck an optimistic tone: “We have had very, very strong talks,” he said, adding that he believed the two sides had reached agreement on “major points” — “almost all points,” he claimed at one point.
Trump went further in comments to Fox Business Network, saying Tehran “wants to make a deal” and suggesting the conflict could be resolved within the five-day window. He warned, however, that if negotiations collapsed, the United States would resume its military campaign: “We’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out,” he said.
The president said he had declared the war essentially won. “We’ve won this. This war has been won,” Trump said, framing the diplomatic outreach as a position of strength rather than a retreat.
Kushner, Witkoff, Vance, and Rubio Lead Negotiations
Trump confirmed that a senior team of envoys and officials has been conducting the backchannel diplomacy. Presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff have been in contact with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, with their most recent communications occurring Sunday night, according to the president.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are also participating in the diplomatic effort, Trump confirmed Tuesday.
The United States has reportedly sent Iran a comprehensive 15-point plan to end the war, delivered through Pakistan, with Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir serving as an intermediary. The proposal addresses Iran’s nuclear program — which Trump called the top priority, saying it was “No. 1, 2 and 3” on the list — as well as Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and control of key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. In exchange, Iran would reportedly receive full sanctions relief, international support for a civilian nuclear program centered on the Bushehr facility, and removal of the “snapback” mechanism that allows international sanctions to be automatically reimposed.
Iran: No Talks, No Deal — and More Missiles
Tehran swiftly rejected Trump’s characterization of the situation. Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf — whom Trump and his team identified as a key negotiating contact — publicly stated that “no negotiations have been held with the US.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry echoed that denial, with a spokesperson saying Trump’s announcement was designed to lower energy prices and “buy time” for military planning.
A source with knowledge of the discussions told reporters that, despite the White House’s optimistic framing, there did not appear to have been any direct talks yet between Ghalibaf and the U.S. envoy team.
Iran underscored its defiance militarily: Tehran launched a new wave of missiles against Israel on Tuesday, even as Trump was touting the prospect of a ceasefire deal. Israel continued its own strikes against Iranian territory in response.
The Backdrop: Hormuz Ultimatum and Escalating Conflict
The diplomatic drama unfolded against a backdrop of rapidly escalating military conflict. Trump had previously threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power grid and energy infrastructure unless Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz — the critical waterway through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes — by a set deadline.
The conflict, now entering its fourth week, has resulted in approximately 290 American troops wounded. The U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, roughly 1,000 soldiers, is expected to deploy to the region in the coming days as the Pentagon prepares for multiple contingencies.
It remains unclear whether Israel, which has been conducting joint military operations with the United States against Iran, would support a diplomatic resolution on the terms being discussed.
Markets Surge on Pause in Hostilities
Financial markets responded sharply and positively to news of the five-day halt. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq all rose more than 1 percent following Trump’s announcement, while Brent crude oil fell approximately 11 percent — a significant drop reflecting investor relief that a major escalation in the Persian Gulf, which could have severely disrupted global oil supplies, had been temporarily averted.
What Happens Next
The next five days will be critical. If the Trump administration can broker a verifiable agreement with Iranian officials — or at least a credible framework for one — the military standoff could begin to de-escalate. If the talks stall or collapse, the administration has signaled it will resume strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, a move that could dramatically widen the conflict and send energy prices surging again.
For now, the gap between Washington’s claims of diplomatic progress and Tehran’s denial of any such progress remains wide. Whether that gap can be bridged before Trump’s self-imposed deadline expires may determine whether the Middle East moves toward an exit ramp — or a far more dangerous escalation.