Nigeria, March 23 -- The decision comes as the United States and Israel remain locked in a deepening conflict with Iran, now entering its fourth week.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had ordered the Department of War to stand down, halting all strike plans for five days to allow ongoing negotiations to continue.

"Based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed, and constructive conversations... I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes... for a five-day period," he wrote.

The News Chronicle observes that this move marks a dramatic reversal from Friday, when Trump issued a hardline 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face imminent attacks on its po...