Iran's Fars news agency denied U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that the two sides had "very good and productive talks" regarding the war over the weekend, instead claiming there was no communication and Trump, instead, postponed a planned attack on Iran's power and energy infrastructure after hearing Iran would retaliate, Reuters reports.

Fars cited an unnamed source when it reported that Trump had backed off the Iran attack when he learned that Tehran would respond by attacking all power plants in the region. Trump had announced that he would delay his attack on Iran's power and energy infrastructure for five days after the two sides had "very good and productive talks" regarding the war over the weekend.

“I am please [sic] to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” Trump wrote in all caps in a post shared on his Truth Social account early Monday (March 23) morning, though not elaborating further. “Based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed and constructive conversations, witch [sic] will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”

Iranian state TV had initially posted an on-screen graphic stating, "US president backs down following Iran's firm warning" in response to the announcement. Oil prices dropped significantly ahead of trading hours, with Brent crude decreasing from $109 per barrel to less than $94 per barrel before once again rising to more than $97 per barrel, according to the New York Post.

Trump had given Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a vital waterway for trade along the Persian Gulf, after Iran placed vessels to stop shipping flow in response to the U.S and Israel's 'Operation Epic Fury.'

"The United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump wrote in an earlier Truth Social post.

Trump's announcement appeared to be the first confirmation of any high-level discussions regarding the potential end to 'Operation Epic Fury,' which began on February 28 and had been predicted by the president to last about "four weeks or so."