Donald Trump has announced that conversations are ongoing to reach a 'total resolution' to hostilities in Iran.
Taking to his Truth Social platform, President Trump revealed that he'd instructed the US Department of War to 'postpone all any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure' following 'very good and productive' conversations with the Middle Eastern nation.
While Trump did not confirm when the ceasefire will come into effect, he did stat that it would last for the next five days as Iranian and US counterparts continue dialogue on reaching an end to the war.
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Trump's latest statement is a major departure from his previous threats to 'obliterate' Iranian power stations should the Strait of Hormuz not be reopened by midnight tonight, UK time.
What is the Strait of Hormuz – and why is it important?
Located between Iran and Oman, the Strait of Hormuz is a 24 mile wide stretch of sea which connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the wider Arabian sea.
Described as a key strategic chokepoint, the Strait sees 20 percent of the world's liquefied natural gas and 25 percent of seaborne oil trade pass through the stretch every year.
Following the joint US-Israeli attacks last month, Iran has effectively closed the passageway following numerous attacks on oil tanks and cargo ships attempting to pass through the area.
The closure has led to a major fallout across the global economy, with spikes in both gas and oil being felt around the world. Oil prices are currently at its highest since February 2022, when Russia started its invasion of Ukraine.
The ongoing economic fallout of Iran's actions led to the US president issuing a brutal ultimatum on Saturday – reopen the shipping lane within the next 48 hours or America would 'hit and obliterate' its power plants, 'starting with the biggest one first'.
Iran issued a fierce response to the threats, promising that it would target power stations in Israel and those supplying energy to US bases in the Gulf region if such an attack were to occur.
How has Iran responded to the latest developments?
According to an update from the BBC, citing Iranian news agency Fars, an unnamed Iranian source has claimed there was been no 'direct or indirect contact' with President Trump, adding that the US leader 'backed down' after Iran threatened to target 'all power stations in West Asia'.
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, World News, Iran, Politics
Brenna Cooper