US President Donald Trump says he has postponed a planned military strike on Iran after leaders from several Gulf nations urged restraint, as negotiations aimed at ending the conflict continue.
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In a message posted on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the United States had intended to launch a new attack on Tuesday but decided to pause the operation following requests from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
He wrote that the governments involved had indicated that “serious negotiations are now taking place” and suggested that talks could lead to an agreement acceptable to Washington.
Trump added that he had been told a deal would be reached that the United States would consider “very acceptable,” while reiterating a central US demand that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons.
Warning of possible military action
Despite the pause, Trump said the US military remained ready to act if negotiations fail. He warned that American forces could move ahead with a “full, large scale assault” on Iran at very short notice if an acceptable settlement is not achieved.
Officials in Tehran have not publicly responded to Trump’s latest remarks.
Over the weekend, Trump had issued a warning to Iran’s leadership, saying that “the clock is ticking” as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict showed little progress.
Conflict and fragile ceasefire
The current confrontation escalated on 28 February when Israeli and US forces launched extensive air strikes on Iranian targets. In response, Tehran fired drones and missiles toward Israel and US positions across the Gulf region.
The attacks marked a significant widening of tensions involving Israel and Iran, drawing the United States more directly into the conflict.
A ceasefire agreement reached in April was intended to create space for negotiations. Although the truce has largely held, there have been occasional exchanges of fire since it came into effect.
Diplomatic efforts involving regional governments have been ongoing, with Gulf states seeking to prevent a broader war that could destabilise energy supplies and regional security.
Oil route tensions
Amid the standoff, Iran has maintained control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor connecting the Gulf to global markets.
The waterway carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Iranian authorities say their control of the strait is a response to US and Israeli military actions.
The situation has disrupted global energy markets, with oil prices rising sharply as concerns grow over supply interruptions.
At the same time, the United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports as part of efforts to increase pressure on Tehran to accept Washington’s negotiating terms.
With diplomatic talks reportedly underway, it remains unclear whether the pause in military action will lead to a lasting agreement or only a temporary delay in further hostilities.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 19 May 2026
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