Trump says planned strikes on Iranian power plants suspended

March 23 , 2026

Gulf countries had feared that US strikes on Iran’s energy sector would invite reprisals from Tehran on regional water and energy infrastructure.

US President Donald Trump has stepped back from threats to strike Iran’s entire energy sector, in a marked de-escalation of the war in the Gulf.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that the US and Iran had engaged in “good and productive talks” amid signs of a resolution to the war that has gripped the region.

There has been a tense 48-hour countdown to Trump’s Saturday night threat to target Iran’s energy sector unless the Strait of Hormuz was reopened to international shipping.

“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,” Trump wrote.

“BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH 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.”

Iranian state television also commented, saying that the “US president backs down following Iran’s firm warning”.

The ultimatum, issued on Saturday night, had heightened regional alarm amid a continued drone and missile attacks across the Gulf.

Speaking to Israel’s Channel 13, Trump warned of the “total decimation” of Iran, adding, “you’ll find out what’s gonna happen”, following days of escalating rhetoric over navigation in the strategic waterway, through which around a fifth of global oil passes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted on Sunday that the strait remains open, rejecting Washington’s accusations that it was blocking shipping.

“Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated—not Iran,” he wrote on X, calling for equal respect for “Freedom of Navigation” and “Freedom of Trade”.

In a call late on Sunday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed that the Strait of Hormuz needs to be fully reopened as it is “essential to resume global shipping”, as oil and gas prices surge.

Downing Street called the 20-minute-long call “constructive” despite tensions between the two historic allies over Starmer’s refusal to participate in the so-called Hormuz naval coalition to secure ships through the passageway.

Gulf on high alert

Defence ministries across the Gulf reported missile and drone attacks overnight, despite an apparent quieter Eid holiday.

In the UAE, authorities said air defences downed several missiles and drones launched from Iran, with debris injuring one person in Abu Dhabi.

Air raid sirens sounded overnight in Bahrain, and Kuwait also reported intercepting missiles and drones aimed at its territory.

While the post did not mention plans for attacks, it followed Tehran’s threats to retaliate against regional infrastructure should Washington strike its energy sector.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Gulf states have warned the Trump administration that targeting Iranian facilities could invite reprisals, endangering their own energy and water networks and potentially destabilising the global economy.

Officials cited by the paper said regional leaders feel “angry” and sidelined by Washington despite extensive investments in US defence and diplomacy.

Qatar’s foreign ministry stressed on Monday that Iran’s targeting of energy facilities would constitute a ‘blatant violation’ of international law.

US-Israeli strikes in Iran continue

Explosions were reported overnight across Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, and Khorramabad.

The Kremlin issued a statement on Monday condemning US-Israeli strikes on Bushehr’s nuclear power plant earlier in the month, saying it posed a serious threat to security.

State media said at least six people, including two children, were killed and 28 were injured in US-Israeli strikes on residential areas of Khairabad, Varamin.

Six others were killed and six wounded in attacks on Tabriz, while another six people died and 43 were injured in Khorramabad, where four residential buildings were destroyed, according to Nour News.

Read also:
Iran Says It Will Completely Close Strait of Hormuz If US Bombs Iranian Power Plants
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