TEHRAN, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran has no direct or indirect contact with U.S. President Donald Trump, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Monday.
Quoting an Iranian source, Fars said Trump has withdrawn its threat of attacking Iranian power plants after hearing of Iran's retaliation through targeting all power generation facilities across the West Asia region.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency, citing a senior Iranian security official, also reported that Trump backed down from attacking Iranian critical infrastructure after Iran's military threats became credible.
The official said there is no negotiation between Iran and Trump, adding that another important factor for this retreat has been increased "pressure on financial markets and threats against bonds" in the United States and the West.
Since the war began late last month, messages have been sent to Tehran by some mediators, the official said, adding Tehran's "clear" response has been that "we will continue the defense until we achieve the necessary deterrence."
In a Monday post on social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that the United States and Iran have, over the past two days, had "very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East."
"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," Trump said.
Trump on Saturday had threatened to "hit and obliterate" Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened within 48 hours.
Also on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi spoke over the phone with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan to discuss the latest developments in West Asia.
Araghchi elaborated on the "crimes perpetrated by the aggressors against Iran's people, especially attacks on schools, hospitals and residential areas," voicing Iran's determination to "decisively" defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Fidan, for his part, highlighted the ongoing war's consequences for the region, underlining the need to reduce tensions and strengthen relations between Iran and regional countries.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East. ■
