Middle East war: US to continue Iran strikes, pause applies only to energy sites, Semafor reports

The United States will ​continue its strikes on ​Iran, with the pause only applicable to attacks on Tehran's energy sites, Semafor reported on Monday, citing a U.S. official, during ‌what ⁠US President Donald ⁠Trump has described as "productive" talks with ​unidentified Iranian officials.

Earlier on Monday, Trump had postponed ​attacks on Iran's energy grid for five days after 'productove talks', a claim which Iran later ​denied that it had ⁠engaged in negotiations ‌with the United States.

"The ​stop ​on attacks for five days ⁠is only on their energy sites," a ​U.S. official told Semafor.


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"It is ​not on the military sites and the navy, and the ballistic missiles, and the defense industrial base. The initial initiatives of (Operation) Epic Fury will ‌continue," he told the news agency.

The Semafor report also added that Israel was not party to Washington's talks with Tehran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjalin Netanyahu on Monday said he had spoken with the US President about negotiations with Iran.

“President Trump believes that there is a chance to leverage the great achievements of the IDF and the US military to realize the war goals of the agreement,” Netanyahu said. “An agreement that will protect our vital interests. At the same time, we will continue to attack both Iran and Lebanon.”

In conversation with Semafor, the official added that Trump, his special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, are the only three individuals authorized to negotiate with Iran at the moment — though Vice President JD Vance may be “leveraged” if and when that becomes necessary.