President Donald Trump said the United States will prolong a pause on attacks targeting Iran’s energy facilities, pushing the deadline for possible strikes into early April while saying talks related to the conflict were progressing. Get today's headlines by email The decision follows weeks of fighting across the Middle East that has left thousands dead and rattled global markets. Energy prices surged during the conflict, raising concerns over broader inflation as disruptions hit fuel shipments. U.S. Extends Strike PauseThe United States and Israel began striking Iranian targets on Feb. 28 after negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme collapsed. Trump had earlier warned Iran that Washington could “unleash hell” if Tehran failed to meet U.S. demands during the war. During a cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump threatened further pressure if no agreement emerged. Later he wrote on his Truth Social platform that attacks on Iranian energy plants would remain suspended for 10 days, until April 6 at 2000 EDT. “Talks are ongoing,” he said, adding they were “going very well” despite what he called inaccurate reporting. Iranian officials, however, say no direct negotiations with Washington are underway. Diplomacy DisputesTrump has not said which Iranian figures are involved in contacts with the United States, as many senior officials were killed during the conflict. On March 23, Trump initially announced a five-day halt to strikes on Iranian power and energy infrastructure. The extension doubles that period. According to mediators cited by the Wall Street Journal, Iran did not request the 10-day pause. Trump said on Fox News that Tehran had asked for a seven-day suspension of attacks on energy targets. Iranian authorities did not immediately comment. Separately, an Iranian official said Tehran had examined a 15-point U.S. proposal delivered through Pakistan but viewed it as heavily favouring U.S. and Israeli interests. The proposal reportedly demanded dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme, limits on its missile capabilities and changes related to control of the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan’s foreign minister said messages between Washington and Tehran were being exchanged indirectly through Islamabad, while other countries, including Turkey and Egypt were also involved in mediation efforts. Iran has demanded security guarantees against future attacks, compensation for damage caused during the war and recognition of its authority over the strategic waterway. Conflict Expands Across RegionThe conflict has severely disrupted shipping routes in the Gulf. Oil prices climbed roughly 40 percent while liquefied natural gas costs and fertiliser prices have also jumped sharply. Iran has responded to U.S. and Israeli strikes with missile attacks on Israeli territory and against American positions in the region. It also targeted several Gulf states and blocked fuel exports passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a route carrying about one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments. Trump said Iran had allowed several oil tankers to pass through the strait as a goodwill signal, including vessels sailing under Pakistan’s flag. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is considering sending up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East, according to the Wall Street Journal, giving the White House broader military options. The U.S. military has also deployed unmanned drone speedboats to patrol regional waters, marking the first confirmation that such vessels are being used in an active conflict. Fighting continues. Iranian missiles struck cities including Tel Aviv and Haifa, according to Israeli authorities. A rocket barrage by Hezbollah killed a man in the northern city of Nahariya. Inside Iran, strikes hit the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and areas near Shiraz, while a university building in Isfahan was also reported damaged. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 March 2026
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