U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly shifted course after his 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, announcing a five-day postponement of strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure. Trump said the pause followed what he described as “very good and productive” talks with Iran on a broader resolution to hostilities in the Middle East. At the same time, Iranian-linked and other regional reporting pushed back on Trump’s version of events, with claims that no real contact took place and suggestions that U.S. messaging changed after Iranian warnings against regional energy targets.