President Trump said the U.S. military would postpone strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days following “productive” talks between Washington and Tehran. Trump said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two of his leading envoys, began talks Sunday that would continue Monday. Trump said a deal with Iran would prohibit nuclear weapons and involve regime change. He then said Iran “wants to settle” the war.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied Tehran was in talks with the U.S., according to state media, but acknowledged countries in the region were trying to get diplomacy going. Arab officials said they have been talking separately with both sides, but that Iran has set a high bar for ending hostilities.
Here’s what else to know:
U.S. stock indexes rallied and Brent crude futures fell below $100 a barrel on hopes that energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz could soon recover.
Iran threatened wider attacks on infrastructure—including fuel, tech and desalination facilities—used by the U.S. in the region if its energy sites were hit.
Tehran also warned it would lay mines across the entire Persian Gulf if its coasts or islands were attacked.
Israel launched a new wave of attacks on Iran.
The International Energy Agency said the conflict in the Middle East is delivering a heavier blow to global oil markets than the twin oil shocks of the 1970s.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media before departing West Palm Beach aboard Air Force One, Florida, U.S., March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
U.S. Has Struck Over 9,000 Iranian Targets, Military Says
American forces have struck more than 9,000 Iranian targets since the war started on Feb. 28, according to U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for the American military in the Middle East. The U.S. has damaged or destroyed more than 140 Iranian vessels, Centcom said Monday.
It added that there have been more than 9,000 combat flights since Operation Epic Fury began. Centcom said that U.S. forces have prioritized strikes on locations that pose an imminent threat, including Iranian missile sites, storage bunkers and navy ships.
