This is despite an Iranian official dismissing a US proposal for ending nearly four weeks of fighting as "one-sided and unfair".
Trump made the comment in a Truth Social post on Thursday shortly after threatening during a cabinet meeting at the White House to increase pressure on Iran if it did not make a deal.
"As per Iranian Government request ... I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time," Trump said in the post.
"Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well," he said.
The war, which has raged for nearly four weeks, has massively disrupted shipping, sending crude oil prices up nearly 40 per cent and causing a spike of nearly 67 per cent in shipments of liquefied natural gas to Asia. Prices of nitrogen-based fertilisers, critical to food production, have risen by nearly 50 per cent.
Despite Trump's upbeat assessment, Iran continued to retaliate against US and Israeli strikes by hitting Israel and US bases. It also struck Gulf states and effectively blocked Middle East fuel exports via the Strait of Hormuz.
During the White House meeting, Trump said the United States would become the Islamic Republic's "worst nightmare" if it did not comply with US demands, which include opening the strait and ending Tehran's nuclear program. He said taking control of Iran's oil was an option, but gave no details.
The Iranian official told Reuters that a 15-point US proposal, conveyed to Tehran by Pakistan, was reviewed in detail on Wednesday by senior Iranian officials and the representative of Iran's supreme leader. While they felt it served only US and Israeli interests, diplomacy had not ended, the official said.
Trump said during the White House cabinet meeting: "They now have the chance, that is Iran, to permanently abandon their nuclear ambitions and to join a new path forward."
Trump on Thursday suggested Iran let 10 oil tankers transit the Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture in negotiations, including some Pakistan-flagged vessels.
The president has sent thousands of troops to the Middle East, some of whom have already arrived, driving expectations of a ground invasion, although details remain scant.
A note seen by Reuters on Tuesday to the United Nations from Iran said "non-hostile vessels" could transit the strait if they coordinated with Iranian authorities. A Thai oil tanker has passed through the strait following diplomatic coordination with Iran, and Malaysia said its vessels were also being allowed to transit in a sign that restrictions were loosening for some countries. Iran would be receptive to any request from Spain related to the strait, its embassy in Madrid said, in the first such offer to an EU state.
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed the US had sent a "15-point action list" as a basis for negotiations to end the war. It includes demands ranging from dismantling Iran's nuclear program to curbing its missiles and effectively handing over control of the strait, according to sources and reports.
Pakistan's foreign minister said "indirect talks" between the US and Iran were taking place through messages relayed by Islamabad, with other states including Turkey and Egypt also supporting mediation efforts.
On Thursday, Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, striking Tel Aviv, Haifa and other areas, including a Palestinian town in central Israel.
At least one ballistic missile hit Tel Aviv, according to Israel's military, while others carried cluster munitions that dispersed smaller explosives, damaging homes and cars. Israel's ambulance service said a man was killed in Nahariya after Hezbollah fired a rocket barrage at the northern city.
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