In a significant shift for Middle East diplomacy, US President Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Tehran are “going very well.” Following this optimistic assessment, the President has officially extended the current pause on military strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure.
The 10-Day Extension
The announcement, made via Trump’s Truth Social platform, doubles the initial ceasefire period. After a five-day pause was established earlier this week, the new deadline for potential military action has been pushed to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8:00 PM.
President Trump noted that the extension came “as per Iranian Government request,” signaling a rare moment of direct communication and coordination between the two nations during the current crisis.
The 15-Point Peace Plan
During a recent cabinet meeting, special envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that the United States has formally delivered a 15-point peace plan to Tehran. While the specific details of the proposal remain classified, the rhetoric surrounding the deal remains a mix of diplomacy and pressure.
While expressing hope for a resolution, Trump maintained a firm stance, stating that the United States would be Iran’s “worst nightmare” should they choose to reject the terms of the peace deal.
Regional Tensions and Market Reactions
Despite the pause from Washington, the region remains volatile:
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Military Action: Israel reported carrying out new strikes on targets in both Beirut and Tehran concurrently with the diplomatic pause.
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Iranian Response: Tehran has not yet issued a formal response to the extension, though officials previously indicated they are waiting for Washington to address specific conditions for a long-term ceasefire.
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Global Markets: The news immediately impacted energy markets. Oil prices, which had seen a steady climb through Thursday, dropped sharply following the announcement of the extended pause.
