Trump pauses planned Iran strikepauses planned Iran strike amid fresh negotiations
U.S. President Donald Trump said on May 18 and 19 that a planned strike on Iran was put on hold as talks continued.
The articles say Gulf Arab leaders urged the delay and that Washington is still warning of a large attack if no deal is reached, making the moment a test of whether diplomacy can stop a wider conflict.
Trump Administration
Trump presented the delay as a response to requests from Gulf leaders and as a sign that negotiations still have a chance. He also kept military pressure in place by saying U.S. forces must be ready if talks fail.
Iranian Perspective
Iranian officials described the exchanges as dialogue conducted on Iran’s terms and tied them to what they call the country’s legal rights. They also signaled that Tehran remains wary of pressure from Washington even while contacts continue through intermediaries.
Gulf Allies
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were reported to have asked Washington to hold off, reflecting concern that an attack could spread instability across the region. Their position appears focused on preventing escalation and keeping space for negotiations.
- The strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and is less than 40 kilometers wide at its narrowest point.
- Qatar often serves as a mediator because it maintains working ties with both Western governments and regional rivals.
- Iran has used indirect talks before, including through Oman and other intermediaries, to manage pressure without direct meetings.
US-Iran Ceasefire War
The United States launched military strikes against Iran on June 26, 2026, in response to a drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "foolish violation" of the 60-day ceasefire agreement signed just days earlier[2][4][14].
26 June, 09:35 PM
US launches strikes against Iran following commercial ship attack26 June, 04:47 PM
Trump calls Iran drone attack on cargo ship a ceasefire violation
