Trump Halts Iran Energy Strikes as Talks Emerge

In a sudden shift in the conflict involving Iran, President Donald Trump announced that the United States will stop military attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure.

The decision comes just 48 hours after Trump warned that the U.S. could destroy Iran’s power grid if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

Despite the strait remaining largely closed to tanker traffic, Trump said the United States and Iran are making “significant progress” in negotiations and claimed both sides are close to agreement on key points.

Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff has reportedly been holding phone conversations with Iranian representatives while also meeting with Ukrainian officials in Florida.

However, Iranian officials have denied that any negotiations are currently taking place between the two countries. This has raised questions about whether U.S. officials may be communicating with intermediaries who do not fully represent Iran’s leadership.

Observers say it remains unclear whether those involved in the discussions have the authority to speak for Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei or the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Analysts warn that if negotiators do not represent the full Iranian leadership structure, elements within the IRGC or other Iranian forces could continue operations affecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

For now, global markets are closely watching whether diplomacy will lead to a concrete agreement and whether the critical shipping route will reopen, which could ease pressure on global oil and gas prices.