Tamara Keith

would hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting with the biggest one first.

But in a new post, the president says he is pleased to report the U.S.

and Iran have had productive conversations, quote, "...regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East."

He said the talks would continue through the week and he would postpone military strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure for five days, subject to the success of the meetings.

This comes a little more than two weeks after Trump said there would be no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender and that the U.S.

should choose the country's leaders.

Tamara Keith, NPR News.

Trump didn't build a case for this war with the American public or with traditional allies.

He didn't build a coalition of the willing in advance.

And now he's coming in after the fact, telling Americans high gas prices are a small price to pay for defeating the Iranian threat and

and slamming the NATO alliance for not sending in ships to help open the Strait of Hormuz.

It's much harder to get buy-in after the fact.

Trump didn't build a case for this war with the American public or with traditional allies.

He didn't build a coalition of the willing in advance.

And now he's coming in after the fact telling Americans high gas prices are a small price to pay for defeating the Iranian threat.

and slamming the NATO alliance for not sending in ships to help open the Strait of Hormuz.

It's much harder to get buy-in after the fact.

Hey there, it's the NPR Politics Podcast.

I'm Tamara Keith.

I cover the White House.