Iran says Trump has 'backed down' after he postpones energy attacks
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Trump postponed military attacks on Iranian power plants after conversations with Tehran, which claimed he had backed down.
AI Summary
President Trump announced he has postponed military attacks against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure following what he described as "very good and productive conversations" with Tehran. Iran's government characterized the delay as a strategic retreat, claiming Trump had "backed down" from his threat. The postponement signals a potential de-escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions after a period of heightened rhetoric over military action. Trump has not specified conditions for resuming the threatened strikes or details of the communications with Iranian officials. The move represents a notable shift from the administration's earlier posture of imminent military action against Iranian energy targets.
Source Coverage Map
6 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
Key details on Iran war as Trump halts some attacks and touts talks with Tehran
Live Updates: US-Israeli war against Iran rages on in fourth week - The Jerusalem Post
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
National SecurityTrump postpones threat to attack Iran power plants as Israel launches new strikes
In the Iran war, President Trump postponed his threat to strike Iran's civilian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz isn't reopened. Charlie D'Agata has the latest on the war, including new attacks from Israel and Iran continuing to strike back.
GlobalTrump news at a glance: president claims ignorance of Israel’s plan to strike Iranian gasfield, exposing rift
<p>Trump claimed on Truth Social that he had known nothing about the targeting of Iran’s gas reserves in advance – key US politics stories from 19 March 2026 at a glance</p><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-israel-war-on-iran">US-Israeli war</a> against Iran has exposed further divisions between the two countries after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/18/iran-intelligence-minister-esmail-khatib-killed-israel-claims">an Israeli strike on Iran’s largest gasfield angered US allies in the Gulf</a> and prompted Donald Trump to say he knew nothing in advance about the attack – a claim that Israeli officials disputed.</p><p>Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he had spoken to Benjamin Netanyahu following the strikes on Iran’s South Pars gasfield – part of a reserve shared with Qatar – and had told the Israeli prime minister to refrain from further attacks that could escalate a regional war on energy infrastructure.</p> <a href="https://...
GlobalExclusive: Iran attacks wipe out 17% of Qatar’s LNG capacity for up to five years, QatarEnergy CEO says - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizAFBVV95cUxQM2VOR0pPU1pWbUpRdUU3Tjg4WWhRRU5uN1RkTG4wSFF0VndlUHI1dm5lQU9kbTMtWnhyV0VJVnZ1VkNET3ZGQ3A1ckRvSU1xTnJPWm80RmI5Z0pBem5HTkFGbE1VTnZ0T0tCSjNCVlRuaFB3T0g1SXh2RkpYQ05hN3pvQkpFNXNBeVBaVmZZOUY2d1hlUkJuMHZ1NE9NQS1HbmctOGR5RjZRTzVjbTFvd0FHVUM4U0VJLUVsUXVINWROenpUQURDemlLMVY?oc=5" target="_blank">Exclusive: Iran attacks wipe out 17% of Qatar’s LNG capacity for up to five years, QatarEnergy CEO says</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
GlobalTrump says Israel attacked Iran gas field without US and Qatari involvement, warns against attacks on Qatar - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiywFBVV95cUxOaHlsV2txcHpXRmxvVlRDMkpiYk5ybktCdzlXOEFwdk9BUmtrSE9leUZEV3M4b2VBQl9KZWFhbjU4RXloeWRkR05UR3E3emZZOGpNYTZUck90bzN4c1N2OVk4dWt3MGZMaU9zOXpmNjF3VXZTMWNhSUVFWW5DV2JYM2Q2ajd2aFdHaGpDaE9ReG84dkJxYnNjZHRZODloR3B4aU1mSUtuSE84QTEzU2J0aHJnRlYwUS1DQUlnaFg3Z1RGaFBiWXJGbEhQaw?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump says Israel attacked Iran gas field without US and Qatari involvement, warns against attacks on Qatar</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
GlobalIsrael launches more strikes on Tehran as Iran continues attacks on Gulf oil facilities
The latest strikes come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel would "hold off on future attacks" on Iran's energy infrastructure, following Trump's request.
National SecurityTrump Once Did a Deal With Oligarchs Allegedly Linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard
In the opening days of his war against Iran, Donald Trump had a message for members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps: Surrender and get “total immunity”—or face “absolutely guaranteed death.” An elite armed force that exists outside Iran’s normal military structure, the IRGC began as the ayatollah’s personal strike force. But during the country’s […]
Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz and hit power plants after Trump's 48-hour deadline
Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely closed" immediately if the U.S. follows up on Trump's new threat to attack its power plants. Trump late Saturday set a 48-hour deadline to open the strait.
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Bank of America reaches proposed, non-binding settlement in Jeffrey Epstein suit
White House registers new ‘alien’-related .gov domains as DOD tackles Trump’s disclosure directive
Fentanyl found inside Barbies sold at Missouri discount store, police say
Kash Patel admits under oath FBI is buying location data on Americans
US moves to soften capital rules: ‘Big banks can declare mission accomplished’
