Sky News cut into regular coverage for breaking news after Donald Trump announced a dramatic pause to planned US attacks on Iranian energy sites, claiming Tehran now “wants to make a deal.” In a Truth Social post, the US president said he had instructed the military to suspend “all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure” for five days following what he described as “very good and productive conversations” with Iran. Trump said the pause would depend on “the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions,” adding that talks were under way toward “a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.”
The sudden intervention marks a major shift after days of escalating tensions — leaving the world watching closely to see whether diplomacy will hold or conflict reignites in the war-torn Middle East. Trump announced the pause in a lengthy statement on Truth Social, writing: “I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
In all caps, he continued: “BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The announcement came just hours before a 48-hour ultimatum was set to expire, during which Trump had warned the US would “obliterate” Iranian power plants unless Tehran ended its effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial global shipping route for oil and gas.
Financial markets reacted immediately, with oil prices plunging from a four-year high and gas prices also falling sharply on hopes of de-escalation.
The pause comes amid intense regional turmoil. Israel said it had launched “wide-scale” strikes on Iran earlier in the day, while Tehran reportedly fired missiles toward targets in the Gulf region.
Iranian officials insisted the Strait of Hormuz remains open except to vessels linked to its enemies, even as fears of sea mines and attacks on tankers continue to disrupt shipping.
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump suggested any settlement could reshape Iran’s leadership, warning there may be a “very serious form of regime change.”
Asked who might ultimately control the strategic waterway, he replied: “Maybe me, me and… whoever the next ayatollah [is].” He also predicted energy markets would stabilise rapidly, saying oil prices would “drop like a rock” once a deal is secured.
Many reacted to the breaking news on X, with many praising the President for helping the people of Iran.
One shared: “US President Donald Trump must end the criminal, terrorist regime in Iran,” and “We support you Mr President We are Shiites from Iraq Deliver us from the evil of Iran”.
