Donald Trump had given Iran a 48-hour deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
11:27, Mon, Mar 23, 2026 Updated: 11:27, Mon, Mar 23, 2026
Donald Trump set a deadline for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump issued a major update on the war in Iran - as his ultimatum to the regime was about to expire. Taking to Truth Social on Monday morning, the US President announced he had ordered the military to postpone any strikes against Iranian power plants. He said: "I am please to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations, which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions."
On Saturday, Mr Trump took to the Truth Social platform to warn the Tehran regime to either end its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power plants. He wrote: "If Iran doesn't fully open, without threat, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 hours from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting with the biggest one first!" The message was issued at 11.44pm on March 21 - with the deadline set for 11.44pm on March 23.
THIS IS A LIVE BLOG. FOLLOW OUR COVERAGE BELOW.
Trump's statement in full as strikes postponed
Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: "I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
"BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.
"THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP."
Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi told Donald Trump to "try respect" following his threat to destroy the country's power plant.
He said: "Strait of Hormuz is not closed. Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated - not Iran - no insurer - and no Iranian - will be swayed by more threats.
"Try respect - freedom of navigation cannot exist without freedom of trade. Respect both - or expect neither."
Iran's defence council has threatened to drop sea mines across the Persian Gulf if Donald Trump carries out his threat of destroying its power plants.
The council said: "Any attempt by the enemy to target Iran's coasts or islands will, naturally and in accordance with established military practice, lead to the mining of all access routes... in the Persian Gulf and along the coasts.
"In this case, the entire Gulf will practically be in a situation similar to the Strait of Hormuz for a long time... one should not forget the failure of more than 100 minesweepers in the 1980s in removing a few sea mines."
On Saturday, Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran: open the Strait of Hormuz by this evening, or US forces will "hit and obliterate" the country's power plants.
There are now just 13 hours to go until this expires and the US president claims he'll ramp up military action.
'No assessment' Iran is targeting UK, says Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer said there is "no assessment" that Iranian missiles will target the UK and called for de-escalation.
He said: "We carry out assessments all the time in order to keep us safe, and there's no assessment that we're being targeted in that way at all.
"But of course, it's my job to ensure that British interests, British lives are always uppermost in my mind...
"That's why we had a statement from a number of countries last week about what we need to do about the Strait of Hormuz, which obviously needs careful coordination and a viable plan.
"But it's very important we defend our interests, we defend British lives, but without getting dragged into the war, and that's the clear divide I've put in place."
Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump spoke over the phone yesterday evening, where they discussed opening the Strait of Hormuz.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "The leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East, and in particular, the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to resume global shipping.
"They agreed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was essential to ensure stability in the global energy market. They agreed to speak again soon."
The leaders had a phone call yesterday. (Image: Getty)
The latest news from around the world and more Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
At least 23 oil and natural gas facilities have reportedly been struck by US, Israeli, and Iranian forces since the conflict began three weeks ago.
According to analysis by ABC News, Iran and its proxies have targeted at least 17 oil and gas sites across nine countries in the Middle East, while the US and Israel have targeted six.
Oil and gas facilities have become targets in the war. (Image: Getty)
4 hours ago
4
English (US) · 