Trump Delays Military Strikes on Iran Following Request From Gulf Leaders

US President Donald Trump said he had postponed planned military strikes on Iran that were scheduled for May 19.

Trump stated on May 18 that the decision was made following direct requests from several Persian Gulf leaders who indicated that crucial negotiations are currently underway.

According to the US President, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan requested the postponement.

The regional leaders expressed optimism that these talks would lead to an agreement acceptable to both the United States and the Middle East.

The US President emphasized the core objective of the ongoing diplomatic efforts on his Truth Social platform. "This Agreement will, importantly, include NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!" Trump wrote.

While the military command was instructed to halt the operations planned for May 19, American forces remain on high alert. Trump noted that he had "additionally instructed them to be ready for a full-scale attack on Iran at any moment, if an acceptable Agreement is not reached."

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Prior to this development, media reports indicated that the US administration was seriously considering a return to large-scale military actions against Iran. Reports from CNN noted that Trump was thinking "more seriously than in recent weeks" about resuming operations due to growing frustration with the negotiation process.

The shift toward potential military action followed a recent response from Iran regarding American proposals to end the hostilities. The White House cast doubt on Iran's willingness to engage in serious negotiations after Trump labeled their latest counterproposal as "unacceptable."

This development directly reinforces the administration's firm stance established earlier in the spring. On April 7, 2026, during a White House press conference, US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Tehran, declaring that American forces would target Iran’s infrastructure unless the Strait of Hormuz was immediately unblocked.

However, he also outlined a conditional framework for future cooperation, noting that the United States preferred to avoid widespread destruction and could assist in reconstruction efforts if Tehran complied with Washington's demands.

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