Trump Delays Threatened 'Energy Plant Destruction' in Iran Until April 6

Amid growing outrage, Trump postpones potential strikes on Iranian power plants for 10 days.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:33pm

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President Donald Trump announced he is delaying any potential US strikes on Iranian power plants until April 6, after nearly a week of critics calling him out for threatening to commit war crimes by attacking Iran's energy infrastructure. Trump initially said the US would "hit and obliterate" Iranian power plants within 48 hours if Iran did not fully open the Strait of Hormuz, but has now postponed the strikes for 10 days amid ongoing negotiations.

Why it matters

Trump's threats to attack Iranian power plants were widely condemned as illegal under international law, as such strikes would put millions of civilian lives at risk by cutting off electricity needed for hospitals, clean water, and nuclear facilities. The potential for a regional crisis and humanitarian catastrophe if Trump followed through on his threats has intensified pressure on Congress to rein in the president's unauthorized military actions.

The details

In his initial statement, Trump said the US would target the "biggest" Iranian power plant first if Iran did not open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Experts warned this could lead to a Fukushima-like nuclear disaster at Iran's Bushehr plant. After mounting outrage, Trump instructed the Pentagon to postpone any strikes for 5 days, subject to the success of ongoing negotiations. Iran has rejected Trump's 15-point framework for ending the conflict and presented its own list of 5 conditions, including halting assassinations and recognizing Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

  • On March 25, Trump initially threatened to "hit and obliterate" Iranian power plants within 48 hours.
  • On March 30, Trump announced he was postponing any strikes for 10 days until April 6.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who initially threatened to attack Iranian power plants.

Jan Vande Putte

A senior nuclear and radiation protection expert with Greenpeace International who warned that bombing Iranian power plants would put millions of lives at risk.

Erika Guevara-Rosas

Amnesty International's senior director of research, advocacy, policy, and campaigns who called on Trump to retract his "dangerous" and "deeply irresponsible threats" that could amount to war crimes.

Steve Witkoff

Trump's special envoy who confirmed the US sent a 15-point framework to the Iranian government, which Iran has rejected.

Abbas Araghchi

Iran's Foreign Minister who said the Iranian government has not engaged in talks to end the conflict and does not plan to.

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What they’re saying

“Bombing civilian electricity infrastructure is illegal under international law. The electricity grid is essential for hospitals, clean water, desalination, and the operation of nuclear facilities. Cutting it off puts millions of lives at risk.”

— Jan Vande Putte, Senior nuclear and radiation protection expert, Greenpeace International

“By threatening such strikes, the USA is effectively indicating its willingness to plunge an entire country into darkness, and to potentially deprive its people of their human rights to life, water, food, healthcare, and adequate standard of living, and to subject them to severe pain and suffering.”

— Erika Guevara-Rosas, Senior director of research, advocacy, policy, and campaigns, Amnesty International

“Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview on state TV that his government has not engaged in talks to end the war and does not plan to. He said the US had tried to send messages to Iran through other nations, "but that is not a conversation nor a negotiation.”

— Abbas Araghchi

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.