Thursday, May 21Thursday, May 21Trump delays planned military strike on Iran at request of Gulf states U.S. President Donald Trump announced he has postponed a planned military attack on Iran, scheduled for Tuesday, 19.05.2026, following requests from Gulf leaders, including the Emir of Qatar, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and the President of the United Arab Emirates. The leaders reportedly urged Trump to delay the strike to allow for ongoing negotiations with Tehran, expressing confidence that a deal could be reached. Trump stated that the proposed agreement would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and claimed the U.S. would be "satisfied" if Iran agreed to this condition. He also warned that if negotiations fail, the U.S. is prepared to launch a "full, large-scale assault" on Iran .
Trump has repeatedly postponed military action against Iran, extending deadlines at least half a dozen times since the conflict began. A senior U.S. official indicated that if Iran does not shift its position, the U.S. may resort to military means to force concessions, stating, "the U.S. would have to continue the negotiations through bombs" . The White House reportedly viewed an updated peace proposal from Iran as insufficient, heightening expectations of an imminent strike before the delay was announced.
Gulf states and regional tensions The UAE accused Iran or its proxies of a drone strike near a nuclear plant, escalating regional tensions. The UAE, along with other partners, condemned Iranian airstrikes, warning that attacks on nuclear facilities threaten regional safety. Gulf states have pushed for de-escalation, urging Iran to enter serious negotiations with the U.S., cease threats against neighbors, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions .
Iran tightens control over the Strait of Hormuz Iran announced the creation of a new authority to manage the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global shipping, signaling tighter control amid ongoing disruptions linked to its conflict with the U.S. and Israel. The body will oversee maritime traffic and provide updates as tolls and restrictions reshape shipping routes .
Transatlantic tensions over Iran strategy German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has clashed with Trump over the U.S. approach to Iran, accusing the Trump administration of being "outplayed" in negotiations with Tehran. Merz criticized the economic and strategic fallout of the U.S.-Israeli military actions in Iran, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has severely damaged European interests. The dispute reflects broader transatlantic tensions, including disagreements over trade and military aid for Ukraine, which have strained NATO relations. Merz also expressed concerns about the safety of Germans studying or working in the U.S. amid the current geopolitical climate .
> Background: **🔴 Breaking — Trump delays Iran strike as Gulf states push for nuclear deal talks.** — *8 hours ago*
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Middle East crisis live: Trump claims very good chance of deal to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapon US president says Gulf states asked him to delay planned strikes on Iran because they think they are close to making a dealUAE blames Iran or its proxies for drone strike fire near nuclear plantFriedrich Merz has been embroiled in a row with Donald Trump over his war on Iran ever since the German chancellor suggested the Trump team was being outplayed in its negotiations with Tehran and said he would not advise his children to study or work in the US in the current climate.The Guardians Berlin correspondent, Deborah Cole, has looked at the declining relationship between the two leaders in this story. Here is an extract:Disputes over trade and military aid for Ukraine have fuelled tensions between the US and its European allies and tested the Nato alliance.Merz is struggling to revive an anaemic German economy and has said the impact of the US-Israeli military action in Iran and the ensuing closure of the strait of Hormuz has been severely damaging to European interests.We strongly condemn the renewed Iranian airstrikes against the United Arab Emirates and other partners. Attacks on nuclear facilities pose a threat to the safety of people throughout the entire region. There must be no further escalation of violence.Iran must enter into serious negotiations with the USA, stop threatening its neighbours, and open the strait of Hormuz without restrictions. Continue reading...
theguardian · 2 days ago
Middle East crisis live: Trump says Gulf states asked him to delay planned strikes on Iran because they think they are close to making a deal US president says US will be probably satisfied if Iran agrees to not have a nuclear weaponUAE blames Iran or its proxies for drone strike fire near nuclear plantFriedrich Merz has been embroiled in a row with Donald Trump over his war on Iran ever since the German chancellor suggested the Trump team was being outplayed in its negotiations with Tehran and said he would not advise his children to study or work in the US in the current climate.The Guardians Berlin correspondent, Deborah Cole, has looked at the declining relationship between the two leaders in this story. Here is an extract:Disputes over trade and military aid for Ukraine have fuelled tensions between the US and its European allies and tested the Nato alliance.Merz is struggling to revive an anaemic German economy and has said the impact of the US-Israeli military action in Iran and the ensuing closure of the strait of Hormuz has been severely damaging to European interests.We strongly condemn the renewed Iranian airstrikes against the United Arab Emirates and other partners. Attacks on nuclear facilities pose a threat to the safety of people throughout the entire region. There must be no further escalation of violence.Iran must enter into serious negotiations with the USA, stop threatening its neighbours, and open the strait of Hormuz without restrictions. Continue reading...
theguardian · 2 days ago
Trump Says Planned Iran Attack On Hold After Gulf Leaders Request The president said Gulf leaders requested he pause plans for strikes that had been set for Tuesday to allow for negotiations with Tehran over a prospective deal to end the war.
wsj · 2 days ago
Iran announces new body to manage Strait of Hormuz as peace talks stall Iran announced a new body to oversee the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, signalling tighter control over the strategic waterway after months of disruption linked to its war with the United States and Israel. Tehran says the authority will manage maritime traffic and provide updates as tolls and restrictions reshape global shipping.
france24 · 2 days ago
Trump pauses possible Iran strike after Gulf intervention US President Donald Trump has announced that he is delaying a planned attack on Iran.
aljazeera · 2 days ago
Trump says he called off imminent plans to attack Iran at request of Gulf states Trump said in a post on social media that the attacks had been planned for tomorrow.
thejournal · 2 days ago
Trump delays scheduled attack on Iran, crediting serious negotiations Gulf states push Trump to avoid any escalation in the US-Israeli war against Iran, which prompted regional attacks.
aljazeera · 2 days ago
Trump says hes called off Iran strike planned for Tuesday at request of Gulf allies
news.yahoo.com · 2 days ago
Trump Says He Will Hold Off on Iran Attack as Serious Negotiations Are Under Way The president said Gulf leaders requested he pause plans for strikes that had been set for Tuesday to allow for negotiations with Tehran over a prospective deal to end the war.
wsj · 2 days ago
Middle East crisis live: Trump says he cancelled planned attack on Iran at request of Gulf states, vows US is ready for large scale assault if peace talks fail In post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said serious negotiations are now underway with Iran and that Gulf leaders believe a deal will be madeUAE blames Iran or its proxies for drone strike fire near nuclear plantFriedrich Merz has been embroiled in a row with Donald Trump over his war on Iran ever since the German chancellor suggested the Trump team was being outplayed in its negotiations with Tehran and said he would not advise his children to study or work in the US in the current climate.The Guardians Berlin correspondent, Deborah Cole, has looked at the declining relationship between the two leaders in this story. Here is an extract:Disputes over trade and military aid for Ukraine have fuelled tensions between the US and its European allies and tested the Nato alliance.Merz is struggling to revive an anaemic German economy and has said the impact of the US-Israeli military action in Iran and the ensuing closure of the strait of Hormuz has been severely damaging to European interests.We strongly condemn the renewed Iranian airstrikes against the United Arab Emirates and other partners. Attacks on nuclear facilities pose a threat to the safety of people throughout the entire region. There must be no further escalation of violence.Iran must enter into serious negotiations with the USA, stop threatening its neighbours, and open the strait of Hormuz without restrictions. Continue reading...
theguardian · 2 days ago
Trump says hes pausing plan to attack Iran President Trump said Monday that hed planned to strike Iran tomorrow but was holding off to give negotiations another chance. He claimed he made the decision at the request of several Arab leaders.Why it matters: The White House saw an updated peace proposal Iran sent on Sunday as insufficient, leading to a growing expectation —including inside the White House — that Trump was about to strike.Trump has extended deadlines and postponed planned attacks on Iran at least half a dozen times since the war began.Driving the news: Trump was expected to convene his top national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday to discuss military options, two U.S. officials told Axios.A senior U.S. official told Axios on Monday morning that if Iran didnt shift its position, the U.S. would have to continue the negotiations through bombs.What hes saying: I have been asked by the Emir of Qatar, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the President of the United Arab Emirates to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow, Trump wrote on Truth Social. He added that the Arab leaders told him serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, 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 claimed the deal will make sure that Iran doesnt have nuclear weapons. He has made repeated claims about progress toward a deal since the war began, but there have been no recent breakthroughs.What to watch: The President said he had instructed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine to suspend the attack plans but to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moments notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.
axios · 2 days ago