In a shift as sudden as it was unexpected, the U.S. President announced on Monday the postponement of planned strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure. After a weekend of verbal and military escalation, the focus appears to have shifted—temporarily—to negotiation.
While the world feared a total conflagration in the Middle East, Donald Trump caught everyone off guard Monday morning. Via his social network Truth Social, the President of the United States reported « very good and productive » discussions with Tehran, aimed at a « total resolution » of hostilities.
This diplomatic thaw comes while the President is currently in Florida. In a message written entirely in capital letters, he stated: « I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS FOR A TOTAL AND COMPLETE CESSATION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. »
This reversal marks a sharp break from the bellicose rhetoric of last Saturday, when Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The current agreement in principle is based on the following points: Suspension of strikes: A five-day postponement of any attack against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure ; Continued dialogue: Discussions are set to continue throughout the week ; Conditionality: However, the President specified that this moratorium depends strictly on the « success of the ongoing meetings and discussions. »
The impact of this announcement was immediate on global markets. Published just before the opening of Wall Street, the presidential message triggered: A sharp drop in oil prices, as the threat to energy supplies appeared to recede. A rebound in European stock markets, relieved by the prospect of de-escalation.
Despite this hope for a truce, the situation on the ground remains extremely precarious. Just hours before this announcement, tensions were at their peak. Tehran was threatening to mine the Gulf and strike American installations, while the Israeli military announced it was conducting a « large wave of attacks » on the Iranian capital. Indeed, explosions were reported in several Tehran neighborhoods by local agencies. The international community now has its eyes fixed on this week’s negotiations to see if this « change in tone » will lead to a lasting peace or if it is merely a brief respite before a confrontation.
Secondine GOZINGAN
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