Arabic version: ترامب يتنقل بين الدبلوماسية والإنذارات في صراع إيران

President Donald Trump has recently shifted between diplomacy and ultimatums regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran. On Friday, he indicated that the U.S. war against Iran was “winding down,” but by Saturday night, he had issued a 48-hour deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face withering new American airstrikes. Despite these tensions, Trump spent Sunday at his Mar-a-Lago resort, and by Monday morning, he claimed that Iran was engaging in “constructive” talks with the U.S.

According to BBC News, Trump’s ultimatum on Saturday was clear: if Iran did not allow full access to Hormuz for international shipping, the U.S. would plunge the nation into darkness by targeting its energy production infrastructure. Iran responded by threatening to target regional energy and water infrastructure, escalating the situation further.

However, by Monday, Trump had called off the strikes temporarily, citing contact with an unnamed Iranian leader as a reason for the five-day stay of the threatened attacks. He expressed optimism, stating that the U.S. and Iran had “major points of agreement” and that both sides were eager to make a deal.

During a visit to Memphis, Tennessee, Trump spoke to National Guard personnel and emphasized the ongoing discussions with Iran, urging them to end their threats. He then toured Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, where he touted a decrease in crime in the city, attributing it to the deployment of National Guard soldiers.

Despite Trump’s optimistic tone, Iranian state media claimed he backed down in the face of threats, and Iranian officials denied any significant talks between the two nations. Nonetheless, the prospect of negotiations appeared to positively impact the U.S. stock market and global oil prices. Trump has returned to Washington, where a new five-day countdown for potential U.S. strikes on Iranian power infrastructure is set to begin.