Trump Delays Strikes on Iranian Energy Infrastructure Amid Talks With Iran.

US President Donald Trump announced on March 23, 2026, that he would postpone military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days.

“President Donald Trump about negotiating deadlines, the official emphasized that the American president does not have the authority to set terms or deadlines for negotiations”

Al-Jazeera Net

He cited 'very good and productive' talks between the US and Iran aimed at resolving hostilities in the Middle East.

Al-Jazeera Net

In a Truth Social post shortly before US markets opened, Trump stated he had instructed the Department of War to suspend strikes while negotiations continued.

He claimed US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been holding talks with a 'respected' Iranian leader without identifying the individual.

Trump suggested Iran had 'agreed that they will not have a nuclear weapon' and expressed optimism about reaching a deal.

He later told reporters in Florida that 'we have had very, very strong talks' and warned that if talks failed, 'we'll just keep bombing our little hearts out.'

Iran categorically denied that any direct negotiations with the United States had taken place.

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf posted on X that 'no negotiations have been held with the U.S.'

Associated Press News

He accused Trump of using false statements to 'escape the quagmire in which the U.S. and Israel are trapped.'

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state news agency IRNA that 'there is no dialogue between Tehran and Washington.'

A senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official told CBS News that 'we received points from the U.S. through mediators and they are being reviewed.'

Fars News Agency portrayed Trump's announcement as a retreat, claiming he 'backed down' following Iran's firm warning.

Trump's announcement triggered significant relief in global financial markets.

“Trump says 'good' talks ongoing with Iran - but offers few details US President Donald Trump's promise of "good" and "productive" talks with Iran are perhaps his most conciliatory remarks since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, but leave significant unanswered questions”

BBC

Oil prices plunged with Brent crude falling as much as 15% intraday before recovering some ground.

Stock indices rose sharply, with the S&P 500 rising 74.52 points and the Dow climbing 631 points (1.4%).

Market analysts cautioned that the physical market remained in 'heavy deficit' and prices could rise again.

ICIS Head of Oil Markets Ajay Parmar noted that while futures prices had fallen, 'the physical market remains in heavy deficit at present.'

Daily Maverick reported that global markets 'rose sharply, with US stocks up more than 2%' on the news.

Despite the diplomatic overtures, military actions continued unabated across multiple fronts as the war entered its fourth week.

The United States and Israel conducted fresh waves of strikes on Iran, with Israel targeting infrastructure in Tehran.

CBS News

The death toll had risen to over 2,000 people, with Iran reporting at least 1,500 casualties and Lebanon reporting over 1,000 deaths.

International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol warned that the energy crisis was 'worse than the two oil shocks of the 1970s put together.'

Diplomatic efforts intensified with multiple countries including Oman, Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt acting as intermediaries.

The United Nations reported that 2,584 people had been injured in Lebanon alone since March 2.