Delay, not relief: Iran braces for wider clash as Trump postpones attack

Trump postponed a planned strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure after claiming productive talks with Tehran, a claim Iran denies; Turkey and Oman are quietly mediating, but Iranians fear the delay could be a strategic pause for a broader confrontation. The Revolutionary Guards warn of retaliation against Gulf energy and desalination facilities, with discussions about seizing Kharg Island in the Hormuz Strait. Experts note Iran’s dispersed grid makes a knockout attack difficult, yet the region faces severe humanitarian and economic risks from potential outages and further escalation.