US President Donald Trump has abandoned plans to destroy Iran's energy infrastructure, according to Bloomberg citing sources. This decision came after private warnings from Washington's allies and Gulf states, who indicated that large-scale strikes could lead to catastrophic consequences, including Iran's collapse into a so-called "failed state" with loss of territorial control, increased conflicts, and economic crisis.

Against this backdrop, Trump allegedly stated that contacts with Tehran have begun, which he claimed were initiated by the Iranian side. Negotiations involving Jared Kushner and presidential advisor Steve Witkoff reportedly started over the weekend and were to continue via phone, with Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan acting as mediators. Later, the US president announced a five-day pause in strikes and confirmed the start of a negotiation process.

Bloomberg reports that this decision was also linked to an attempt to stabilize markets: the statement came before US trading opened, leading to a drop in oil prices and a rise in stock indices. Meanwhile, Iran officially denied the fact of negotiations, calling Washington's statements an attempt to influence market conditions.

US allies, as noted by the publication, are skeptical about the prospects of a possible deal, pointing to contradictory signals from the American administration. Experts warn that the temporary pause in strikes could strengthen Tehran's position, as Iran may perceive it as confirmation of the effectiveness of pressure through threats to the region's energy infrastructure.

Source: kun.uz