Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
U.S. President Donald Trump has extended a deadline for Iran to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, announcing a five-day pause on planned military strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure while signaling that a diplomatic breakthrough may still be possible.
The decision, revealed in a post on Truth Social and reinforced in remarks to reporters, came just hours before a previous ultimatum was set to expire. Trump had earlier warned that Iranian power plants would be targeted if Tehran failed to fully reopen the waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
Framing the delay as an opportunity for diplomacy, Trump said recent contacts had been “very good and productive,” suggesting that Washington and Tehran were exploring a broader resolution to escalating hostilities in the Middle East. He expressed cautious optimism, stating that Iran appears eager to reach an agreement, though he stopped short of guaranteeing a deal.
According to Trump, any potential agreement would center on dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, including the removal of enriched uranium. He also claimed that indirect talks had taken place involving U.S. envoys, including Middle East adviser Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, with what he described as a “respected” Iranian figure. However, he provided no details on the identity of the interlocutor and confirmed there had been no communication with Iran’s supreme leadership.
Tehran swiftly rejected these assertions. Iranian officials and state media denied that any negotiations direct or indirect, had occurred with the United States. Coverage by state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting portrayed Trump’s move as a retreat under pressure, claiming Washington had backed down following Iranian warnings of retaliation.
Iranian authorities argued that the U.S. decision to delay strikes was driven not by diplomacy but by deterrence. Officials warned that any attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure would trigger retaliatory strikes across the region, potentially targeting power facilities in Gulf states and assets linked to U.S. military bases.
The threats have heightened concerns about the vulnerability of energy and water infrastructure across the Gulf. In countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, desalination plants powered by electricity supply the vast majority of drinking water. Any disruption to power grids could therefore have severe humanitarian consequences, in addition to destabilizing global energy markets already shaken by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Financial markets reacted immediately to Trump’s announcement. Oil prices fell sharply, while stock markets in the United States and Europe rebounded after days of losses driven by fears of a wider regional conflict. The easing of tensions, even temporarily, offered relief to investors wary of prolonged disruption to energy supplies.
Meanwhile, Israel signaled deep skepticism over the emerging situation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to block any agreement he considers inadequate, warning against what he described as a “bad deal” with Iran. His comments came after pressure from allies within his Likud party to ensure that Israeli security interests are not compromised amid shifting U.S. policy signals.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel remains committed to countering Iran’s regional influence and preventing any outcome that would allow Tehran to maintain or advance its strategic capabilities. His stance underscores growing divergence between regional actors at a time when diplomatic and military tracks appear to be unfolding simultaneously.
Adding to the tension, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reiterated its readiness to respond forcefully to any U.S. or Israeli strikes. The group warned that escalation could extend beyond Iran’s borders, raising the specter of a broader confrontation involving critical infrastructure across the Gulf.
The sharply conflicting narratives from Washington and Tehran highlight the uncertainty surrounding the current crisis. While the United States points to ongoing contacts and the possibility of a negotiated settlement, Iran insists no such process exists and frames recent developments as a strategic victory.
With Israel opposing potential concessions and Iran rejecting the premise of negotiations altogether, the path toward de-escalation remains unclear. For now, Trump’s temporary pause on military action has bought time, but whether it leads to diplomacy or merely delays further confrontation remains an open question.
