By NPR Staff Commercial vessels are seen in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, in northern Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday. Getty Images hide caption President Trump says the United States is negotiating with Iran to end the war now in its fourth week, and will hold off striking Iranian power plants for five days. Iran denies any talks were underway. Trump's announcement, posted on social media Monday morning, came hours before a deadline he had imposed threatening further escalation if Iran did not reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz to shipping. Stocks rallied on the news. "There is no dialogue between Tehran and Washington," Iran's Foreign Ministry said, according to the country's state broadcaster. It said Trump's statements were an effort to reduce energy prices and gain time to carry out his military plans. Here's what else to know about the latest developments in the conflict.…