Topics: Donald Trump, Iran, US News, World News, News, Politics
Reports from Tehran have contradicted Donald Trump's claim that he'd postpones strikes on Iran for five days following 'productive talks' with leaders, insisting the US President had been forced to 'back down'.
Taking to Truth Social earlier today (23 March), Trump wrote in all-caps: "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 REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST."
The Republican continued: "BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH 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."
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Refusing to elaborate on the diplomatic negotiations that had taken place, Trump signed off the update, writing: "THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP."
Responding to Trump's statement, however, Iran says the 79-year-old has in fact 'backed down' from further attacks on Iran, following a 'firm warning' from those in the capital, Tehran.
These comments were reportedly made in Kabul by members of the Iranian embassy, as per Sky News. They'd posted on social media claiming Trump had retreated following threats from Iran to 'target the energy infrastructure of the entire region'.
Reporters from Iranian Fars also cited a source who'd insisted that no direct communication had taken place between the US and Iran, nor through intermediaries. This refuted the claim that Trump has had 'very good' conversations with Iranian leaders on bringing the conflict to an end.
The President's online statement also included the claim that his ordered missile suspension was 'subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions'.
His message came following reports from the United Arab Emirates that its air defence was attempting to intercept new incoming Iranian fire on Monday afternoon, as per PA.
Trump's statement also came after repeated threats that US-Israeli troops would 'obliterate' Iran’s power plants if Tehran refused to back down in the Strait of Hormuz standoff.
He previously hit out online: "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!"
