Trump Delays Iran Strike, Claims Talks – War Updates

WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday he had postponed planned military strikes against Iran, citing recent communications between the two nations. The decision, revealed to reporters, followed discussions that led to what Trump described as “significant” common ground between Washington and Tehran.

“We were talking very seriously,” Trump stated. “We’ll notice what happens. We have some very key points that we agree on, I can say that, almost every point. Maybe this hasn’t been conveyed since, as you grasp, communication has been broken down. They don’t talk to each other, but we had very good conversations, with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner doing the work.”

Trump indicated the postponement would last five days, allowing time to assess the outcome of the dialogue. “The discussions took place yesterday, went on late into the evening. They would like to make a deal very much, and we would like to make a deal too. We’re going to give it five days, and then we’ll see what happens. If it goes well, we’ll conclude it with an agreement. But if not, we’ll just keep moving forward and hit them very hard.”

Prior to the announcement, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had ordered a delay of strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, just hours before a deadline he had set for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. He stated the negotiations for a Middle East peace were progressing positively.

When pressed on who his team had been in contact with, Trump said the U.S. Was speaking with “high-level” individuals within the Iranian regime, but clarified this did not include Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “No, not the Supreme Leader. Really, nobody has heard from the second Supreme Leader, the son, at all. None. We don’t hear from him. Rarely do you see a statement come out, but we don’t hear. We don’t even know if he’s still alive. But the person who seems to be in charge, and they seem to be real, because what they say happens.”

Trump also responded to CNN questions regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, stating it would occur quickly if negotiations with Iran progressed. He expressed a desire for joint U.S.-Iran control of the vital waterway.

But, Iranian state media reported that no negotiations had taken place. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported that no conversations occurred between Iran and the U.S., dismissing Trump’s claims as an attempt to justify his threats. Iran’s position on the Strait of Hormuz remained unchanged, according to the reports.

Iran’s Mehr News Agency similarly cited a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry denying any discussions were underway, alleging Trump’s claims were intended to lower energy prices and buy time for military planning. The agency reported that efforts to de-escalate tensions were being made by regional countries, but concerns should be directed at the U.S., which it identified as the instigator of the conflict.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, posted on X, confirming no negotiations with the U.S. Had occurred, labeling the reports as “fake news” intended to manipulate the oil market and adding that the Iranian people demand full retribution against aggressors.

A senior member of the Iranian parliament cautioned Iranian officials to “think carefully” before entering into any negotiations with the U.S., citing the U.S.’s recent history of attacking Iran although peace talks were in progress. Esmaeil Kosari, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament, stated, “Here’s not the first time they have lied about negotiations. Trump, Netanyahu, and their allies are inherently liars, and their nature is to create division.” He added, “Their nature is to create division so that people doubt the authorities and feel that something has been done when nothing has happened.”

China has urged its citizens to depart Israel as soon as possible. The Chinese embassy in Israel stated that the security situation in the Middle East was continuously deteriorating and Chinese citizens residing in Israel should not risk their safety and should evacuate or return to China “as soon as possible.” The embassy is arranging another evacuation of Chinese citizens through the Taba border crossing with Egypt.

South Korea announced it would restrict government vehicle use and extend existing government-set fuel price controls in response to the impact of the conflict. President Lee Jae-myong called for national unity to overcome the increasing tensions, comparing the situation to challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and past financial crises.

Japan is preparing to release a portion of its national oil reserves starting March 26th, responding to concerns about increasing oil supplies. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated Japan had already drawn on private sector oil reserves the previous week to secure “the necessary volume for Japan as a whole.”

Despite the conflicting reports, a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official told CBS News that “we have received issues from the U.S. Through mediators and are considering them.” CBS News reported this as a preliminary step before negotiations, but confirmed no negotiations have been confirmed or begun. Pakistan may be acting as a mediator, offering Islamabad as a location for a meeting between U.S. And Iranian officials, though this has not been officially confirmed by either country.

Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated on March 23rd that the war would continue until Iran received full compensation for damages incurred, including the lifting of all economic sanctions and legally binding international guarantees to prevent U.S. Interference in Iran.