Iran war: Trump says US will hold off strikes on energy sites for another 10 days

US President Donald Trump has announced that he is extending the pause on bombing Iran’s energy infrastructure by another 10 days.

“As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time. Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well,” Trump said on Truth Social.

The previous halt in striking Iran’s energy sites was set to expire on Friday. Last Saturday, Trump had initially given Iran 48 hours to open the crucial Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers, threatening to destroy its power plants, but he has now extended the deadline twice.

How are negotiations going?

Meanwhile, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff has signalled that Iran is showing “strong signs” that it is ready to negotiate a deal with the US, confirming publicly for the first time that Washington had passed a 15-point “action list” to Tehran through Pakistani officials.

“We will see where things lead, and if we can convince Iran that this is the inflection point with no good alternatives for them, other than more death and destruction,” Witkoff said.

Similarly, Iranian state media said, “Iran’s response to the 15 points proposed by the US was officially sent last night through intermediaries, and Iran is awaiting the other side’s response.”

‘Iran is begging for a deal’

Trump on Thursday said Iran was “begging” for a deal to end the ongoing conflict, while warning of further military action if Tehran does not abandon its nuclear ambitions.

Speaking during the first cabinet meeting at the White House since the conflict began, Trump said Iran had turned to negotiations after weeks of fighting.

“They are begging to make a deal, not me. They’re begging to make a deal,” Trump said, describing Iran as “lousy fighters” but “great negotiators.”