Washington: US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will extend the pause on US military strikes targeting Iran's energy infrastructure by 10 days, with the new deadline set for 8 p.m. on April 6, Washington time. This decision was made at the request of the Islamic Republic.

According to Philippines News Agency, the extension follows Trump's earlier decision on Monday, where he postponed the military strikes for five days, after previously threatening to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran failed to fully open the crucial Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Trump communicated the extension through a statement on Truth Social, emphasizing ongoing talks with Iran, despite what he described as "erroneous statements" by the media.

The Trump administration is actively seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict through negotiations with Iran, amid concerns about the impact on oil prices and inflation-issues that could influence voter sentiment ahead of the US midterm elections. Washington has proposed a 15-point peace plan to Iran via Pakistani mediators, addressing concerns over Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and its uranium stockpiles, among other topics.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that indirect messages have been exchanged with the US through intermediaries, although he clarified that these do not constitute formal negotiations. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has increased military readiness by deploying additional troops to the Middle East, heightening pressure on Iran to consider Trump's peace proposal seriously.

In a separate statement, Trump urged Iran to "get serious soon" about reaching a deal to end the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel, warning of potential consequences if they delay further.