Trump delays planned strike on Iran as Gulf leaders press for diplomacy
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he was postponing a planned military attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The attack was originally scheduled for Tuesday, after leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates urged him to allow more time for negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at a ‘Rose Garden Club’ dinner at the White House on May 11, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Trump said Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had asked him to “hold off” on the attack because “serious negotiations are now taking place”.
“In their opinion, as great leaders and allies, a deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all countries in the Middle East, and beyond,” Trump wrote. “This deal will include, importantly, no nuclear weapons for Iran.”
“Based on my respect for the above-mentioned leaders, I have instructed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Dan Caine and the United States military that we will not be doing the scheduled attack on Iran tomorrow,” the president wrote.
Trump added that the military had been ordered to remain “prepared to go forward with a full, large-scale assault on Iran, at a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable deal is not reached”.
For Israel, the postponement means continued uncertainty on multiple fronts, as it remains under attack from Hezbollah in Lebanon while waiting to see whether diplomacy can curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions or whether the United States will ultimately resort to military action.
