--- title: Trump Postpones Strikes on Iranian Power Plants After Iran Threatens to Mine 'Entire Persian Gulf' description: Trump said the decision came after the U.S. and Iran shared "very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East." Iranian state media has offered a differing account. canonical: https://time.com/article/2026/03/23/trump-postpones-strikes-iranian-power-plants-iran-threatens-persian-gulf/ author: Callum Sutherland article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2026-03-23T13:27:05.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-03-23T18:25:38.000Z article:section: Politics og:title: Trump Postpones Strikes on Iranian Power Plants After Iran Threatens to Mine 'Entire Persian Gulf' og:description: Trump said the decision came after the U.S. and Iran shared "very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East." Iranian state media has offered a differing account. og:url: https://time.com/article/2026/03/23/trump-postpones-strikes-iranian-power-plants-iran-threatens-persian-gulf/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd43611e229711c5d/69c13ab7880d2d71f75888cc/GettyImages-2266192715.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 5140 og:image:height: 2891 og:image:alt: GettyImages-2266192715.jpg og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Trump Postpones Strikes on Iranian Power Plants After Iran Threatens to Mine 'Entire Persian Gulf' twitter:description: Trump said the decision came after the U.S. and Iran shared "very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East." Iranian state media has offered a differing account. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd43611e229711c5d/69c13ab7880d2d71f75888cc/GettyImages-2266192715.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Trump Postpones Strikes on Iranian Power Plants After Iran Threatens to Mine 'Entire Persian Gulf' > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME D.C. Brief: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition D.C. Brief is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington. D.C. Brief goes beyond the Washington headlines to explain the politics, personalities and power dynamics shaping what happens next. 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It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ## Video: Trump Says He May Jointly Control the Strait of Hormuz With the "Next Ayatollah" VERTICAL [Watch (HLS stream): Trump Says He May Jointly Control the Strait of Hormuz With the "Next Ayatollah" VERTICAL](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/2cl31Dqm.m3u8) (0:53)  _Published 2026-03-23. Trump said the decision came after the U.S. and Iran shared "very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East." Iranian state media offered a differing account._ by [Callum Sutherland](https://time.com/author/callum-sutherland/) ## Callum Sutherland Reporter Updated: Mar 23, 2026 6:25 PM UTCPublished: Mar 23, 2026 1:27 PM UTC by [Callum Sutherland](https://time.com/author/callum-sutherland/) ## Callum Sutherland Reporter Updated: Mar 23, 2026 6:25 PM UTCPublished: Mar 23, 2026 1:27 PM UTC President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the [Strait of Hormuz](https://time.com/article/2026/03/17/what-is-the-strait-of-hormuz-global-trade-oil-flow-iran-war/), instructing [the Pentagon](https://time.com/article/2026/03/13/hegseth-iran-military-destroyed-strait-of-hormuz-oil-attacks/) to postpone “any and all military strikes” against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days. “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 hostilities in the Middle East,” Trump [announced](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116278232362967212) Monday morning. Based on the “tenor and tone” of the “constructive conversations” which are set to continue throughout the week, Trump relayed his decision to postpone strikes, but noted it was “subject to the success of ongoing meetings and discussions.” Trump elaborated later in the morning when talking to reporters at Palm Beach International before boarding Air Force One. "They \[Iran\] want very much to make a deal. We'd like to make a deal, too. We're going to get together today \[by phone.\] We're doing a five-day period, we'll see how that goes, and if it goes well, we're gonna end up settling this," he said. "Otherwise, we'll just keep bombing our little hearts out." He went on to add that if a deal is reached, the U.S. will push to take Iran’s enriched uranium and claimed "there will also be a very serious form of regime change." "Look at [Venezuela](https://time.com/article/2026/03/18/trump-venezuela-annexation-51st-state-america/), how well that's working out,” Trump continued, referencing his relationship with interim President Delcy Rodríguez. “Maybe we find somebody like that in Iran.” Trump said the U.S. were talking to a "top person" in Iran—someone other than the new [Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.](https://time.com/7383160/trump-comments-about-new-iran-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei/) The statements came in the wake of Trump, on Saturday evening, [threatening](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116269822349947644) to “hit and obliterate” Iran’s various power plants if they didn’t reopen, “without threat,” the [Strait of Hormuz](https://time.com/7382242/strait-of-hormuz-closure-threat-iran-war-trade-gas-oil-prices/) within 48 hours. Trump’s Monday morning update was welcomed by the markets, with global oil prices dropping instantly after soaring throughout the weekend as the U.S. and Iran exchanged threats. However, initial responses from Iran were less hopeful. ### Iran disputes Trump's account Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker, [insisted](https://x.com/mb%5Fghalibaf/status/2036108700524347420) "no negotiations have been held with the U.S." He labeled other accounts as "fake news" used to "manipulate the financial and oil markets, and escape the quagmire in which the U.S. and Israel are trapped." Iranian state media Fars had earlier, quoting an unnamed senior security official, [claimed](https://t.me/farsna/423051) “there have been no negotiations” between Tehran and Washington. “None are ongoing,” they said. Trump’s postponement followed two threats delivered by Iran in the early hours of Monday morning as a result of his initial 48-hour ultimatum. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) [threatened](https://t.me/farsna/422967) to strike electrical plants in the Middle East that are powering U.S. bases, should an attack unfold on its own infrastructure. “Iran will retaliate by targeting the power plants of the occupying regime and the power plants of regional countries that supply electricity to U.S. bases, as well as the economic, industrial, and energy infrastructures in which Americans have shares,” read a statement relayed by Iranian state media. “Do not doubt that we will do this.” Another threat delivered by [Iran’s Defense Council](https://t.me/farsna/423005) addressed concerns that U.S. troops could potentially arrive in the region, amid reports Trump was considering options to deploy boots on the ground. Iran’s Defense Council said Monday that any such land invasion would result in them deploying naval mines across the “entire Persian gulf.” “Any attempt by the enemy to target Iran’s coasts or islands will, naturally and in accordance with established military practice, lead to the mining of all access routes... in the Persian Gulf and along the coasts,” the council said, adding that such action would effectively cause the entire Persian Gulf to shut down in a similar fashion to the Strait of Hormuz. ### Global leaders consider next steps amid widespread trade disruption The chokehold on the transit of oil and gas via the Strait of Hormuz has prompted energy prices to soar in the past few days, resulting in crisis talks among leadership across the world. The European Council, after a summit attended by E.U. leaders on Thursday, [called](https://time.com/article/2026/03/19/europe-uk-japan-strait-of-hormuz-oil-gas-prices-iran-war/) for "a moratorium on strikes against energy and water facilities." Urging the need for "de-escalation and maximum restraint," the council heralded "the importance of concerted action to help partners strengthen counter-drone and air defence capabilities.” Acknowledging the severe disruption caused by Iran's blockage of the Strait, the E.U. leadership condemned "any acts that threaten navigation or prevent vessels from entering and exiting" the vital passage. Without detailing a specific plan, the council said it "stands ready to contribute to all diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and to bring about a lasting solution to end the hostilities.” ### U.K. urges de-escalation after British base targeted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday that he “welcomes” Trump’s update on a deal between Iran and the U.S. “We were aware that that was happening, and we are working with others to see how we can develop that to a point of de-escalation,”[ Starmer said ](https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1DxleEDqoROKL)during a government hearing. He added that he hopes to see such an agreement include “tough conditions on Iran, particularly in relation to nuclear weapons,” but that “we mustn't fall in false comfort to think that there will necessarily be a quick and early end to this.” Starmer's remarks followed weekend reports that the joint U.K.-U.S. Diego Garcia airbase in the Chagos Islands had been targeted by Iran. During an address to parliament Monday, British Defence Minister John Healey confirmed that Iran had attempted to launch two strikes on the base. “I can confirm to the house \[that\] in the early hours of Friday morning, two Iranian missiles were launched in the direction of Diego Garcia,” said Healey. “One fell short of its target, the other was brought down… Iran must stop, it must de-escalate. We want to see this war end.” ### Concerns over how much U.S. is spending on Iran war Meanwhile, in the U.S., concerns are mounting over the cost of the Iran war, which is in its 24th day. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed last week that the Pentagon has asked the White House to [approve a $200 billion request to Congress](https://time.com/article/2026/03/20/republican-democrat-lawmakers-condemn-pentagon-iran-war-funding-request/) to fund the Iran war, but he stressed the figure "could move." The forthcoming supplemental request has been met with stern criticism from several lawmakers, including some Republicans. “I've already told leadership, I am a ‘no’ on any war supplementals. I am so tired of spending money elsewhere," said Republican Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado. "I am tired of the industrial war complex getting all of our hard-earned tax dollars." ## Transcript What about the Strait of Hormuz? Who's going to be in control of that? That'll be opened very soon. If this works. How soon? Control of it will still be able to control the flow of oil. Be jointly controlled by who? Maybe me, maybe me. Me and the Ayatollah. Whoever the Ayatollah is, whoever the next Ayatollah. Look. And there'll also be a form of a a very serious form of regime change. Now, in all fairness, everybody's been killed from the regime. They're really starting off. There's automatically a regime change. But we're dealing with some people that I find to be very reasonable, very solid. Uh, the people within know who they are. They're very respected. 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