Tuesday's planned U.S. attack on Iran was called off after Trump said Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE urged him to hold off while serious negotiations proceed.
Trump said he told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine to stay ready for a full large-scale assault on short notice if no acceptable deal is reached.
The proposed deal, as Trump described it, would bar Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons while aiming for terms acceptable to the United States and regional countries.
The pause comes as the U.S. and Iran remain locked in a military and economic standoff around the Strait of Hormuz, where dueling blockades have strained a ceasefire that began nearly six weeks ago.
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2026 U.S.-Iran Crisis: Gulf Mediation, Ceasefire, and the Battle for the Strait of Hormuz
Overview
On May 18, 2026, an imminent U.S. military strike against Iran was halted due to intensified diplomatic efforts led by regional powers and Gulf allies. These leaders, concerned about the risk of destabilizing global oil markets and triggering widespread violence, stepped up mediation to prevent direct conflict. As a result, the U.S. postponed military action, allowing behind-the-scenes talks between Washington, Tehran, and intermediaries to continue. The main goal of these discussions is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons through a diplomatic solution, though President Trump has warned that military options remain if negotiations fail.