US president says move comes following ‘productive conversations’, but Iran says he is trying to ‘buy time’

Trump’s announcement sent the price of oil moving downward as the stock market surged and recovered some of its losses since the war began.

President Trump hinted on 23 March that recent talks between Iran and the US have been very productive, aiming for a comprehensive resolution of Middle Eastern hostilities.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is considering ‘winding down’ the Middle East military operation, but his statement seemed at odds with his administration’s move to send more troops and warships to the region.

Iran officials have contradicted Donald Trump’s claim of “productive” talks with the regime and suggested his decision to postpone strikes on Iranian power plants was a sign of a panicking president.

With his latest Iran ultimatum looming, US President Donald Trump has pushed an anxious Persian Gulf region to the brink of further uncertainty and danger.

In a Truth Social post, US President Trump said that Washington and Tehran “have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.

By Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart and Jana Choukeir WASHINGTON/DUBAI, March 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. military is deploying thousands more Marines to the Middle East, officials told Reuters on Friday, as President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of cowardice over their reluctance to send forces to help open the Strait of Hormuz.