Iran calls Trump's bluff as president postpones threatened strikes

President Donald Trump claimed "productive conversations" with Iranian officials Monday as justification for extending his Strait of Hormuz deadline by five days, but Iran's foreign ministry denied any talks occurred.

Trump issued a Saturday ultimatum threatening strikes on Iranian power plants unless U.S. vessels could transit the Strait of Hormuz, warning potential "global economic disaster of historic scale."

Iran characterized Trump's announcement as an effort to influence energy markets and buy time.

Critics, including journalist Adam Cochran and author Ali Abunimah, argued Trump yielded to Iranian pressure but fabricated diplomatic talks to preserve credibility. Cochran suggested Trump would "re-escalate" later in the week, while Abunimah stated Trump was either "backing down or lying, probably both."

Iran has consistently ignored Trump administration overtures to restart negotiations, effectively calling the president's bluff on the ultimatum.

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