Trump Orders 5-day Halt on Iran Strikes as Talks Show Progress amid Hormuz Tensions

Moneylife Digital Team 23 March 2026

Investor Interest

US president Donald Trump has announced a five-day pause on planned military strikes against Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure, signalling a temporary de-escalation in the intensifying West Asia conflict even as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to rise.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, president Trump says the decision followed 'very good and productive conversations' between US and Iran over the past two days, raising the possibility of 'a complete and total resolution' of hostilities. He says he had instructed the US department of war to postpone any military action for five days, with talks set to continue through the week.

The announcement came just hours ahead of a deadline set by Washington which had earlier warned of strikes on Iranian power infrastructure if Tehran failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route that carries about a fifth of global oil and gas supplies.

Despite the pause, the conflict has entered its fourth week with no clear signs of resolution. Iran has sharply escalated its rhetoric, warning of severe retaliation if its energy facilities are targeted. Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says energy infrastructure and desalination plants of US allies in the Gulf could be 'irreversibly destroyed' in the event of an attack.

Iran’s central military command has also warned that power plants in countries hosting US bases would be considered legitimate targets.

At the same time, Tehran has moved to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz by imposing a transit fee of US$2mn (million) or around ₹18.8 crore on certain vessels passing through the waterway. Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian says the strait remains open to all except adversaries, while officials described the move as part of a new 'sovereign regime' governing the passage.

Iran has maintained that navigation through the strait continues, but acknowledged that the ongoing conflict has created a 'dangerous situation' affecting maritime safety and regional shipping security.

Meanwhile, military hostilities on the ground have intensified. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it carried out a 'wide-scale wave' of strikes targeting infrastructure in Tehran, with Iranian media reporting explosions across multiple parts of the capital and at least one fatality in an attack on a radio facility.

The latest developments underscore the fragile state of the situation, with diplomatic engagement running parallel to escalating military threats. President Trump’s decision to delay strikes is being seen as an attempt to create space for negotiations, though it remains contingent on the outcome of ongoing discussions.

The Strait of Hormuz continues to remain at the centre of the crisis, with any disruption posing significant risks to global energy markets and supply chains. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the current diplomatic window leads to de-escalation or a broader regional confrontation.

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