Trump just (on the evening of March 23) posted: "I am pleased to inform everyone that over the past two days, the United States and Iran have engaged in very constructive and productive discussions regarding a comprehensive and thorough resolution to our adversarial status in the Middle East."
These in-depth, specific, and constructive talks will continue this week. Based on the overall atmosphere and tone of the discussions, I have instructed the Department of War to delay all military strike actions targeting Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days—specifically contingent upon the success of ongoing meetings and negotiations.
Thank you all for your attention to this matter!
President Donald J. Trump
Commentary: Trump's sudden shift from a 48-hour ultimatum to a five-day postponement of strikes fundamentally reflects a tactical retreat after encountering resistance in his hardline deterrence strategy—a classic example of Trump’s transactional approach, which is unpredictable and prone to abrupt changes. Previously threatening to destroy Iran’s power plants, he now claims the dialogue has been highly effective, indicating that military action faces significant risks and internal opposition. The U.S. fears potential regional collapse across the Middle East, a surge in oil prices impacting domestic stability, and the unbearable costs of full-scale war. This pivot exposes the unsustainable nature of America’s tough stance in the region; the so-called ultimatum was likely a performance of maximum pressure. Fearing retaliation from Iran, the U.S. military remains deeply hesitant about actually bombing Iran’s power plants, temporarily pulling the situation back from the brink toward a diplomatic track.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860451908454474/
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