Trump Calls Off Iran Strikes at Request of Gulf Allies as Negotiations Resume
President Trump canceled a planned military assault on Iran after Gulf allies requested a pause, citing progress in negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program.
Trump Calls Off Iran Strikes at Request of Gulf Allies as Negotiations Resume
In a dramatic late-night announcement on Truth Social, President Donald Trump revealed he had canceled what he described as “a very major attack” on Iran scheduled for Tuesday, May 19. The decision came at the request of Gulf allies — specifically the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — who told the president that “serious negotiations are now taking place” and “a deal will be made.”
“There seems to be a very good chance that they can work something out,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “If we can do that without bombing the hell out of them, I’d be very happy.”
The Background
The announcement came just a day after Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on social media: “For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them.” The whiplash from military threat to diplomatic pause underscored the volatile nature of a conflict that has gripped the region since late February.
The US-Iran war began in February when Trump ordered strikes shortly after publicly suggesting he would let talks play out. A fragile ceasefire was reached in mid-April, but hostilities have flared repeatedly. Just two weeks ago, the two countries traded attacks in the Strait of Hormuz after the US announced — then paused — a mission to guide commercial ships out of the vital waterway.
The Stakes
The Strait of Hormuz is the chokepoint at the heart of this conflict. Iran has effectively closed the waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally flows. The US has responded by blockading Iranian ports, redirecting 85 commercial vessels from mid-April through Monday, according to US Central Command.
The impact on global energy markets has been immediate. Oil prices had been climbing toward $109 a barrel on fears of prolonged confrontation. Within minutes of Trump’s announcement, petroleum futures dropped more than $2, ending Monday at $107.25.
Beyond oil, the conflict has seen suspected Iranian drone strikes on the UAE — including a fire at the edge of the UAE’s sole nuclear power plant — and Iran has hinted it could next target subsea internet cables running through its waters, which serve countries across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
What the Deal Might Look Like
Iran submitted a revised 14-point proposal to Pakistani mediators on Monday, according to Iranian state-linked media. The broad outlines of each side’s position are known:
- Iran wants relief from US economic sanctions, continued control of the Strait of Hormuz, and a cessation of Israeli hostilities in Lebanon.
- The US wants significant concessions on Iran’s nuclear program, including handing over its enriched uranium stockpile.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking alongside his German counterpart in Berlin, confirmed that reopening the Strait is the immediate priority, but that Iran’s nuclear program remains a central sticking point. Much of Iran’s enriched uranium was reportedly buried under collapsed tunnels following earlier US strikes.
A Pattern of Threats and Pauses
Trump’s decision to call off the strikes follows a well-established pattern. He has repeatedly set deadlines for Tehran and then backed off, only to authorize military action later. This is precisely what happened at the war’s outset — he signaled openness to talks in February, then launched strikes days later.
Still, the involvement of Gulf allies as interlocutors is notable. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have all been affected by the conflict, either directly through drone attacks or indirectly through economic disruption. Their request for a diplomatic window gives the pause more weight than Trump’s previous unilateral delays.
The president himself acknowledged the uncertainty: “There have been times in the past when a deal seemed close but nothing came of it. But this is a little bit different.”
What Happens Next
Trump has instructed the US military to remain ready for “a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice” if an acceptable deal is not reached. The two-to-three-day window requested by Gulf allies puts the next critical moment around Wednesday or Thursday.
Iranian state TV, for its part, called Trump’s announcement a “retreat” based on “fear” — signaling that Tehran is not eager to appear pressured into concessions.
For now, the world watches and waits. Oil markets, shipping companies, and diplomats across multiple continents are all holding their breath. Whether this pause becomes a path to peace or just another interlude before escalation remains the defining question of the week.
Sources: Associated Press, TIME, CBS News, PBS NewsHour