Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will extend the pause on U.S. military strikes targeting Iran's energy infrastructure by 10 days, setting the new deadline to 8 p.m. on April 6 (Washington time). This decision was made at the request of the Islamic Republic as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
According to Yonhap News Agency, on Monday, Trump had initially postponed the military strikes for five days until Friday, following a threat issued on Saturday to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran did not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Trump's announcement on Truth Social emphasized the continuation of negotiations, despite what he described as misleading reports by the media.
The extension of the pause reflects the Trump administration's attempt to seek a diplomatic resolution to the conflict while addressing concerns about the impact on global oil prices and inflation, which are critical economic factors in the run-up to the U.S. midterm elections. Washington has outlined a 15-point peace plan, delivered through Pakistani mediators, addressing issues like Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that indirect messages have been exchanged with the U.S. via intermediaries, though he clarified that these do not constitute formal negotiations. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional troops to pressure Iran into considering Trump's peace proposal.
In a separate communication, Trump urged Iran to "get serious soon" about reaching a deal to end the conflict with the U.S. and Israel, warning that the opportunity for a peaceful resolution might not remain open indefinitely.