(3rd LD) Trump puts off strikes on Iran power plants, says U.S., Iran want to make deal | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
President Donald Trump said Monday that he ordered the postponement of threatened military strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days, stressing that both Washington and Tehran want to make a deal to end their war. Trump's remarks on the negotiations came after he said Saturday that the U.S. military will "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the Islamic Republic does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, within 48 hours. "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," he wrote in capital letters on Truth Social. "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," he added. In response to continued U.S.-Israeli strikes, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and launched retaliatory strikes, including some targeting energy facilities in the Middle East, triggering a rise in oil prices. sshluck@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (2nd LD) FM Cho urges safe navigation in Strait of Hormuz in phone talks with Iranian counterpart (2nd LD) Seoul shares crash over 6 pct on escalating U.S.-Iran conflict (2nd LD) Korean won hits 17-yr low as Iran crisis escalates (LEAD) Lee stresses self-reliant defense, citing 'very complex' global situation (3rd LD) Trump says U.S. mulls 'winding down' Iran operation, calls on S. Korea, others to help secure Hormuz Strait Keywords #Trump Iran Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Downtown Seoul to enter security lockdown for massive crowd at BTS concert Most Viewed All Categories U.S. soldier booked for assaulting S.

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(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES throughout)
By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, March 23 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he ordered the postponement of threatened military strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days, stressing that both Washington and Tehran want to make a deal to end their war.
In a social media post, Trump claimed that the United States and Iran held "productive" talks aimed at reaching a "complete" and "total" resolution of the conflict, over the weekend. But Tehran reportedly denied that the two sides had any dialogue.
Trump's remarks on the negotiations came after he said Saturday that the U.S. military will "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the Islamic Republic does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, within 48 hours.
"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," he wrote in capital letters on Truth Social.
"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," he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 23, 2026, in this photo released by AFP. (Yonhap)
The move came amid growing concerns about the repercussions of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran on oil prices and inflation -- key economic issues that could affect voter sentiment ahead of the U.S. midterm elections where control of Congress is at stake.
Later, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency denied that there were talks between Washington and Tehran.
During a press availability, Trump insisted that the two sides had "very strong" talks, saying that "they are going to have to get themselves better public relations people."
"We have points, major points of agreement. I would say almost all points of agreement," he said while explaining the bilateral negotiations that he said took place on Sunday.
Steve Witkoff, the special envoy to the Middle East, and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, were engaged in the negotiations with a "top" Iranian person, he said.
Trump also said that the U.S. and Iran want to reach a deal.
"They want very much to make a deal. We'd like to make a deal too," he said.
"We're going to get together today by probably phone because it's very hard to find a country. It's very hard for them to get out."
He reiterated his opposition to Iran's nuclear program.
"We want to see no nuclear bomb, no nuclear weapon, not even close to it," he said when asked about what the U.S. is looking for in the negotiations with Iran.
"Low key in the missiles. We want to see peace in the Middle East."
The U.S., in coordination with Israel, kicked off its military campaign, codenamed "Operation Epic Fury," on Feb. 28, seeking to destroy Iran's missile capabilities and its Navy, and deny the country any ability to develop nuclear bombs.
The campaign of airstrikes killed former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on its opening day. In a show of defiance, Iran picked his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, to succeed his father.
In response to continued U.S.-Israeli strikes, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and launched retaliatory strikes, including some targeting energy facilities in the Middle East, triggering a rise in oil prices.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Trump's remarks on the negotiations came after he said Saturday that the U.S. military will "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the Islamic Republic does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, within 48 hours. "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," he wrote in capital letters on Truth Social. "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," he added.
- During a press availability, Trump insisted that the two sides had "very strong" talks, saying that "they are going to have to get themselves better public relations people." "We have points, major points of agreement.

### Areas for Consideration
- Korea, others to help secure Hormuz Strait Keywords #Trump Iran Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Downtown Seoul to enter security lockdown for massive crowd at BTS concert Most Viewed All Categories U.S. soldier booked for assaulting S.

### Implications
- OK (ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES throughout) By Song Sang-ho WASHINGTON, March 23 (Yonhap) -- U.S.
- Trump's remarks on the negotiations came after he said Saturday that the U.S. military will "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the Islamic Republic does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, within 48 hours. "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," he wrote in capital letters on Truth Social. "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," he added.
- President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 23, 2026, in this photo released by AFP. (Yonhap) The move came amid growing concerns about the repercussions of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran on oil prices and inflation -- key economic issues that could affect voter sentiment ahead of the U.S. midterm elections where control of Congress is at stake.
- In response to continued U.S.-Israeli strikes, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and launched retaliatory strikes, including some targeting energy facilities in the Middle East, triggering a rise in oil prices. sshluck@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (2nd LD) FM Cho urges safe navigation in Strait of Hormuz in phone talks with Iranian counterpart (2nd LD) Seoul shares crash over 6 pct on escalating U.S.-Iran conflict (2nd LD) Korean won hits 17-yr low as Iran crisis escalates (LEAD) Lee stresses self-reliant defense, citing 'very complex' global situation (3rd LD) Trump says U.S. mulls 'winding down' Iran operation, calls on S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers iran, trump, seoul topics. Notable strengths include discussion of iran. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 984.