Trump makes a sudden “retreat” from Iran – But bombs are still falling, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and the world is plunging into the worst energy crisis since the 1970s.
Just hours before his self-imposed 48-hour ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, President Donald Trump stunned the world by posting on Truth Social: he indefinitely postponed airstrikes on Iranian power plants for at least five days. The reason? “We are in productive talks toward a comprehensive and thorough solution to the war.”
This dramatic turn of events came at a time when tensions were at their peak. Iran continues to тιԍнтen its grip on the Strait of Hormuz – a vital waterway carrying 20% ​​of the world’s oil. US crude oil prices have risen more than 70% since the beginning of the year, and retail gasoline prices in the US have surged by 93 cents per gallon in just a few weeks. The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned that this energy crisis is worse than the 1970s oil shock combined with the Ukraine war.

But the story isn’t as simple as an impending “peace treaty.”

Iran immediately rejected Trump’s scenario. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated via Mehr News: “There will be no direct dialogue between Tehran and Washington.” They called Trump’s postponement of the attack merely a “ploy to lower oil prices and buy time to prepare a new military plan.” However, Iran also acknowledged “initiatives from regional countries to de-escalate tensions.”

Meanwhile, the war continues to rage. Just hours after Trump’s announcement, Israel launched another airstrike on the heart of Tehran. The war, initiated by Israel and the US on February 28, 2026, has entered its fourth week. Iran remains unyielding despite the deaths of its Supreme Leader and numerous high-ranking generals. Tehran continues its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to attack power plants and even drinking water supplies to the Gulf region if the U.S. dares to land Marines.

Trump told reporters at West Palm Beach Airport in Florida that Iran had “called the U.S. to make a deal.” He revealed that 15 points had been discussed, including a commitment that Iran “will never possess nuclear weapons.” “There has to be a good deal. No more war, no more nuclear weapons,” he emphasized. He entrusted negotiations to special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and ᴀsserted that Israel would be “very happy” with the agreement.

But the tone from Washington remains contradictory. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, appearing on “Meet the Press,” declared: “Escalation and de-escalation are not mutually exclusive. Sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate.” He ᴀsserted that “all options are on the table” to retake Kharg Island – Iran’s oil export hub that the US bombed last week, including deploying ground troops.
The world is witnessing an extremely complex geopolitical drama: on one side, Trump is trying to project the image of a “peace hero” to American voters; on the other, the harsh reality on the battlefield – bombs are still falling, oil tankers are still under threat, energy prices are still soaring, and the global economy is reeling.
The biggest question now is not whether Trump will actually “retreat,” but rather: will these “effective negotiations” be a real turning point, or just a lull before a new, more violent outbreak? Iran has lost its supreme leader but has not yet fallen. The US and Israel still control the skies but have not dared to deploy large-scale ground troops. Meanwhile, ordinary people in the Middle East, along with millions of consumers worldwide, are paying the price with sky-high energy bills and the fear of an uncontrolled, spreading war.

In this context, Trump’s “five-day pause” may only be a temporary pause – not an end. And in the 2026 Middle Eastern power game, pauses are often a sign of a larger storm brewing.