Trump Extends Iran Deadline as Strait of Hormuz Talks Begin – and Disagree

WASHINGTON — With Asian markets sharply down and oil tankers idling in the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump offered Iranian leaders a familiar mix of threats and a temporary reprieve early Tuesday morning. What began as a 48-hour ultimatum – reopen the strait or face the destruction of energy infrastructure – has softened into a five-day extension for what he described as “very good and productive” talks with Tehran.

The contours of the talks remain unclear, though Trump suggested upon leaving Palm Beach that both he and “the ayatollah, whoever the ayatollah is,” should control the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. He claimed “major points of agreement” and assured reporters that Iran, like the United States, “wants very much to make a deal,” adding that otherwise, “we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”

Tehran’s account sharply contradicts Trump’s assessment. This gap underscores the limited control either side has over the conflict and its narrative. The White House is attempting to manage a large-scale military confrontation with an undefined exit strategy, a situation that is unnerving global markets. As military strikes have failed to reopen the waterway and allies express concern over the expanding conflict, the administration faces the limits of unilateral action.

Three foreign officials with knowledge of U.S. Efforts revealed that Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has communicated with the Iranian government through Pakistan and other regional intermediaries, seeking a concession regarding its nuclear program and uranium-enrichment efforts. According to these officials, the U.S. Presented a 15-point plan – building on a proposal made last year – intended to offer Iran a path to de-escalation and avoid further bombardment. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.

Vice President Vance discussed efforts to restart talks with Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, according to a person familiar with the discussions. Vance, whose isolationist views have reportedly clashed with some in the administration, may participate in talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, in the coming days.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the situation is fluid and that any “speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final until they are formally announced by the White House.” She added that the administration would not negotiate the conflict “through the press.” Iranian officials maintain that no negotiations are underway. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran’s Parliament speaker, dismissed Trump’s claims as an attempt at “market manipulation” to “escape the quagmire” and reassure oil traders rattled by the strait’s closure.

The conflict remains suspended between escalation and exit, with no clear terms of victory. Trump’s advisors previously cautioned against issuing ultimatums the U.S. Could not enforce – advice he initially followed. Whereas, the president grew frustrated late last week when Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and refused to reopen it despite heavy American and Israeli bombardment.

The closure sent oil prices soaring and stock markets tumbling, unnerving Republicans facing closely contested elections this fall. Trump has frequently equated stock market performance with presidential success. By Saturday, he was reportedly angered by NATO allies’ refusal to help secure the strait and by negative news coverage, including reports about his comments regarding the death of Robert Mueller, according to two advisors familiar with his mindset.

Some of Trump’s advisors and U.S. Allies warned that destroying Iran’s power infrastructure would be a mistake, potentially prompting Iran to retaliate against its neighbors with its remaining arsenal. Allies similarly cautioned that extensive damage to Iran’s infrastructure could create a failed state, leading to a refugee crisis and a breeding ground for terrorism. As reported by PBS NewsHour, this concern contributed to the pause in planned strikes.

Since late last month, U.S. And Israeli strikes have targeted Iranian missile sites, naval assets, and fortified positions along its southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has claimed the bombing of Kharg Island destroyed its military sites, though oil facilities reportedly remained untouched. The strait, effectively closed by threats of Iranian mines, drones, and attacks on ships, has proven more difficult to reopen than to threaten. Shipping traffic has dwindled, and insurance costs have spiked.

Trump announced the five-day extension as Wall Street opened Tuesday morning, prompting an immediate market rebound and a fall in oil prices. “The price of oil will drop like a rock as soon as a deal is done,” he said. “I guess it already is today.”

One former administration official suggested that even the prospect of resuming talks provides Trump with cover to extend his self-imposed deadline and allows time to consider deploying ground troops to the region, potentially a strike force to seize Kharg Island. Such an operation, advocated by Senator Lindsey Graham, could force Iran to relinquish control of the strait but would likely involve fierce fighting and potential American casualties.

European and Indo-Pacific partners – including Japan, Australia, and several NATO states – have resisted direct military involvement, urging diplomacy or limited escort missions through the strait. The coalition Trump envisioned has not materialized. According to TIME, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that the Strait would be “completely closed” in the event of an attack on its energy grid.

Against this backdrop, Trump’s messaging has become increasingly improvisational. On Truth Social, he has alternated between declaring victory and calling on other nations to secure the strait. His suggestion that the passage could soon reopen under U.S.-Iranian management lacks confirmation from Tehran. The threatened strikes on Iran’s power grid have been paused, not canceled, contingent on diplomatic momentum that one side insists exists and the other denies. Meanwhile, fighting continues, with no clear complete in sight.