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Rabat – The United States may be engaged in a conflict with Iran, but President Trump has, in recent days, alternated between military pressure and diplomacy, underscoring a volatile approach to the crisis.
On Friday, Trump said the U.S. war against Iran was “winding down.” By Saturday night, however, he issued a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping or face intensified U.S. airstrikes.
The following day, Trump spent time golfing at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
By Monday morning, with global markets falling, his tone shifted again. He said Iran was engaged in “constructive” talks with Washington before departing for Memphis, where he delivered a speech and visited Graceland, the historic residence of Elvis Presley.
U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets have meanwhile continued, and Iran has also launched missiles and drones at U.S. forces and regional allies. Shipping traffic through Hormuz remained constrained.
Trump’s Saturday ultimatum had appeared unequivocal. “Failure by Iran to fully open the strait would result in U.S. strikes targeting its energy infrastructure,” he stated. Iran responded by warning it would target regional energy and water facilities, raising fears of a broader escalation in the three-week conflict.
‘Very, very good discussions’
By Monday, however, Trump said he had decided to postpone the strikes pending what he described as ongoing constructive talks with Iran.
He cited contact with an unnamed Iranian leader as grounds for a five-day delay in military action. Speaking before departing Tennessee, Trump said the two sides had “major points of agreement.”
Later, addressing National Guard personnel in Memphis, he described talks with Iran as “very, very good discussions.”
He explained: “Iran has one more opportunity to end its threats to America and our allies. We hope they take it.”
Trump visited Graceland after the remarks, praising a decline in Memphis crime rates that he attributed to the deployment of National Guard troops. During the visit, reports emerged of a phone call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the possibility of direct talks with Iranian officials later in the week.
Diplomatic efforts appeared to be advancing, though details remained limited.
Iranian state media, citing Trump’s social media post, suggested the president had backed down under pressure. Iranian officials denied any substantive negotiations, while Trump referred to “15 points of agreement” without elaboration.
Even tentative signs of dialogue buoyed financial markets, with U.S. stocks rising and global oil prices falling as investors looked for an off-ramp from the conflict.
Trump has since returned to Washington, where a new five-day deadline for potential strikes on Iranian power infrastructure is now in effect.
After a series of shifts in tone and a high-profile detour to the home of a music icon, Trump may be signaling a potential diplomatic breakthrough.
Alternatively, it could reflect a familiar pattern of brinkmanship, with ultimatums followed by pauses to create space for negotiations.
