'They asked for 7, I gave 10': Trump on Iran's 'big present' to US as Hormuz deadline delayed

US President Donald Trump connected Thursday explained wherefore helium granted Iran a 10-day cooling-off period, describing it arsenic a effect to a “gift” from Tehran, allowing the transition of 8 lipid tankers done the Strait of Hormuz, portion pausing planned strikes connected its high-value vigor infrastructure.

He besides portrayed the determination arsenic a motion of advancement successful ongoing diplomatic efforts amid tensions successful the Middle East.Speaking to Fox News, Trump said Iran had approached his medication seeking much clip arsenic portion of continuing engagement betwixt the 2 sides.

"They said to maine precise nicely, done my people, 'Could we person much time?' Because we're talking astir time night, which is beauteous quick, and if they don't bash what they person to do, I volition sound retired their powerfulness plants," Trump said.

MAGA supremo added that the 10-day hold was granted aft Iran allowed 8 lipid tankers to walk done the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a “present” during negotiations. "We talked astir the 8 ships, the contiguous that I talked astir the different day, but they asked for seven, and I gave them ten. And they were precise thankful astir that," the US President said.Earlier successful the day, Trump announced that the intermission connected strikes targeting Iran’s vigor infrastructure would beryllium extended by different 10 days, until Monday, April 6, 2026, arsenic talks continue.

In a station connected Truth Social, helium said the determination followed a petition from the Iranian authorities and insisted that negotiations were progressing well."As per Iranian Government request, delight fto this connection service to correspond that I americium pausing the play of vigor works demolition by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, astatine 8pm, Eastern Time. Talks are ongoing and, contempt erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going precise well," the station read.Earlier this week, Trump had already ordered a impermanent halt to subject action. On Monday, helium said helium instructed the US Department of War to hold strikes connected Iranian powerfulness plants and vigor sites for 5 days, citing ongoing diplomatic engagement.In different Truth Social post, helium described caller discussions arsenic constructive and aimed astatine resolving hostilities. "I americium pleased to study that the United States of America, and the state of Iran, person had, implicit the past 2 days, precise bully and productive conversations regarding a implicit and full solution of our hostilities successful the Middle East," helium said."Based connected the tenor and code of these successful depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, which volition proceed passim the week, I person instructed the Department of War to postpone immoderate and each subject strikes against Iranian powerfulness plants and vigor Infrastructure for a 5 time period, taxable to the occurrence of the ongoing meetings and discussions. Thank you for your attraction to this matter!" it added.Before that, Trump had issued a crisp informing to Tehran, giving it 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz oregon look subject action. In an earlier Truth Social post, helium said: "If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, wrong 48 HOURS from this nonstop constituent successful time, the United States of America volition deed and obliterate their assorted POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!"The latest extension, archetypal from a 48-hour ultimatum to a five-day pause, and present an further 10 days, highlights the shifting timelines arsenic diplomacy continues alongside heightened tensions.