Suspension complies with Iran’s request and is valid until April 6; This is the second break ordered by the US President in less than 1 week
The American president, (Republican Party), ordered a temporary suspension, for 10 days, of attacks on Iranian energy installations. The measure was announced this Thursday (26th March 2026) and will be valid until April 6th, at 8pm (Washington time, 9pm in Brasília).
According to Trump, the decision responds to a request from the Iranian government and is based on the progress of negotiations. “The conversations are progressing and, despite erroneous statements from the fake news media, they are going very well”said the Republican.
The suspension of bombings occurs while the 2 countries hold negotiations. This is the 2nd pause ordered by the US president in less than a week. On Monday (23 March), Trump had said that the country would “postpone any and all military attacks against power plants and energy infrastructure” from Iran for 5 days.
The decision reinforces a significant change in Trump’s position, who had previously stated that he would not negotiate with the Iranians and even gave the Persian country an ultimatum on Saturday (21 March), demanding the release of the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, under threat of destroying Iran’s energy plants.
The passage, vital for transporting 25% of global oil production, was blocked by Iran in response to US and Israeli attacks that killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei on February 28.
THREAT TO desalination
In contrast to Trump’s previous ultimatum, the Revolutionary Guard said it would close the strait indefinitely if the US bombed the country’s energy infrastructure. Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari stated that the response would include 4 immediate measures:
- complete closure of Hormuz;
- broad attacks against Israel’s power plants, energy infrastructure, and technology and communications networks;
- destruction of similar companies in the region with North American shareholders;
- attack on power plants in Middle Eastern countries that host US bases.
The Iranian threat also reaches desalination plants, essential water supply structures and oil infrastructure across the Persian Gulf if its plants are hit. The region’s dependence on desalinated water is critical:
- Kuwait – 90% of drinking water comes from desalination;
- Oman – 86%;
- Israel – 75%;
- Saudi Arabia – 70%;
- Bahrain – 60%;
- Qatar – 50%;
- United Arab Emirates – from 42% to 50%.
Around 100 million people live in desert countries that depend on these plants to maintain their supply.
Despite the diplomatic pause, the climate of alert persists. On Sunday (March 22), Iran tested, for the first time, a missile with a range of 4,000 km. According to Israeli intelligence, the projectile has the capacity to reach almost all European capitals, including London, Paris and Berlin. Only Portugal, Ireland and Iceland would be outside the Iranian range of action in Europe.
MARKET REACTION
Trump’s signaling brought immediate relief to commodity prices. A barrel of oil had jumped to US$115 with the closure of Hormuz, putting pressure on the price of diesel in Brazil to around R$7.22. Maintaining the truce is seen as essential to avoid a global energy collapse and an inflationary rebound in an election year in the USA and Brazil.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard said it would close the strait indefinitely if the US bombed the country’s energy infrastructure. Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari stated that the response would include 4 immediate measures: complete closure of Hormuz; broad attacks against Israel’s power plants, energy infrastructure, and technology and communications networks; destruction of similar companies in the region with North American shareholders; and attacking power plants in Middle Eastern countries that host U.S. bases.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf also declared that the Middle East’s critical energy and oil infrastructure will now be considered “legitimate target” if the Americans hit Iranian plants.
