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Trump delays planned US strike on Iran

May 19, 2026 at 07:09 UTC

2 min read
Crude oil storage tanks at a coastal terminal as Middle East tensions ease, impacting global oil prices

Key Points

  • Trump postpones planned US strike on Iran set for Tuesday
  • Gulf leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE urged short delay
  • Trump insists any deal must mean no nuclear weapons for Iran
  • Oil prices ease, with Brent crude (UKOIL) cited near $110 a barrel

Trump postpones scheduled Iran strike

On May 18, 2026, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would not carry out a planned military attack on Iran that had been scheduled for Tuesday. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said the operation was being put off to allow what he called "serious negotiations" to continue.

Trump stated that he told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Daniel Caine to remain ready to execute a "full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment's notice" if talks do not produce an acceptable agreement. The White House message left open the possibility that the pause could be temporary while diplomatic efforts proceed.

Role of Gulf leaders in the delay

According to Trump, leaders from key Gulf states urged him to delay the strike. He cited Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as requesting that the United States "hold off."

Trump said these leaders asked for a short pause, with some accounts describing a requested delay of about two or three days. They were portrayed as believing that negotiations with Iran were close to yielding a deal, prompting their appeal for additional time before any U.S. military action.

Terms under negotiation and Iranian response

Trump said that any prospective agreement under discussion would include "NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN." He framed the decision to postpone the strike as allowing more time for this deal to be reached, while maintaining the threat of force if negotiations fail to meet U.S. conditions.

Iranian officials publicly rejected the idea that they were being pressured. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran was not "intimidated" by U.S. threats and described the "process of talks and negotiations" as still "ongoing." His remarks indicated that Iran viewed the discussions as continuing despite the U.S. military posture.

Market reaction to the announcement

News reports noted an immediate reaction in energy markets following Trump’s May 18 post. Outlets reported that oil prices fell after the announcement that the strike would be postponed.

Coverage cited Brent crude (UKOIL) trading around $110 per barrel on Monday, with the easing in prices linked to reduced expectations of an imminent U.S. attack on Iran. The move highlighted how sensitive oil markets were to signals about potential military escalation in the region.

Key Takeaways

  • The announced delay reflects an attempt to balance military readiness with a short window for diplomacy shaped by Gulf requests.
  • Gulf leaders are positioned as active intermediaries, seeking extra time to pursue a negotiated outcome with Iran.
  • Trump’s insistence on no Iranian nuclear weapons underscores that nuclear constraints remain central to any prospective deal.
  • Tehran’s statement that it is not intimidated, while talks continue, signals it aims to project resolve even as negotiations proceed.
  • Oil’s reaction shows how quickly markets respond to shifts in perceived geopolitical risk around potential conflict with Iran.

References

  1. 1. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/18/trump-delays-major-strikes-iran-00926589
  2. 2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/05/18/trump-says-hes-called-off-attack-iran/
  3. 3. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/18/trump-iran-attack-saudi-uae-qatar-deal.html
  4. 4. https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/trump-iran-clock-ticking-deal-drone-attacks-uae-saudi-hormuz-war-rcna345629
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