Iran Launches 76th Strike Wave as Trump Pauses US Military Action

This latest offensive is reportedly "targeting the Zionist regime's infrastructures and other targets," marking a significant phase in the ongoing aerial campaign. According to the state media report, the barrage was initiated "in retaliation for the Israeli regime's indiscriminate attacks on Iranian civilians and infrastructure."

The "76th wave of Operation True Promise 4" signals a continued high-tempo military engagement by Tehran. State broadcaster Press TV indicated that these strikes are part of a broader response to recent hostilities that have impacted Iranian territory.

As regional tensions escalate, the focus of the current wave remains on the "Zionist regime's infrastructures." However, amid this ongoing military friction, a potential diplomatic opening has emerged from Washington.

In a significant announcement, US President Donald Trump on Monday said he has instructed the Department of War to postpone military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days. This pause is subject to the success of ongoing discussions, noting that the United States and Iran had a "very good and productive conversation" regarding a total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.

The announcement came as the war between Israel, the US, and Iran entered its fourth week. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the conversations will continue through the week.

"I am pleased to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East," Trump said.

"Based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he added.

This diplomatic reprieve follows a period of intense global anxiety over disruptions to energy supply chains due to the war, which started on February 28. Prior to this pause, Trump had warned Iran of severe consequences if it failed to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route.

In an earlier post on Truth Social, Trump had issued a stark ultimatum, stating that if Iran does not "fully open" the Strait within 48 hours, the United States would target and "obliterate" Iranian power plants.

"If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" the post read.

Following this ultimatum, Iran on Sunday issued its own stringent warning to the United States, threatening to target critical energy infrastructure across the region in an "irreversible manner."

In a post on X, the speaker of Iran's Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that any attack on Iranian power plants or infrastructure would prompt retaliatory strikes on regional energy facilities.

"Immediately after the power plants and infrastructure in our country are targeted, the critical infrastructure, energy infrastructure, and oil facilities throughout the region will be considered legitimate targets and will be destroyed in an irreversible manner, and the price of oil will remain high for a long time," Ghalibaf stated in his post.

The escalating conflict began on February 28 following the killing of 86-year-old Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel. In retaliation, Iran targeted Israel and US assets in several Gulf countries, causing disruption in the waterways and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.

Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the international community watching the current five-day postponement closely for signs of a more permanent de-escalation.

- ANI