Trump calls off Iran strike, cites Gulf allies and ongoing talks

President Donald Trump announced Monday he is postponing a military strike on Iran that had been set for Tuesday, saying Gulf state leaders requested the delay and that "serious negotiations are underway."

The postponement marks another reversal in a months-long standoff following a mid-April ceasefire, with Trump warning that U.S. military forces remain prepared for an immediate full-scale assault if an acceptable deal is not reached.

Trump revealed the planned May 19 strike for the first time in the same social media post announcing its postponement Monday — a disclosure that came without prior public warning. He said he instructed the U.S. military "to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment's notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached."

The postponement came at the specific request of leaders in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Trump said in his announcement. He said "serious negotiations are underway" but did not disclose the substance or status of any proposed agreement.

Over the weekend, Trump had escalated his rhetoric on social media, writing that "For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them." The warning was the latest in a series of deadlines Trump has set for Tehran and then walked back in recent months.

A ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was struck in mid-April 2026 but has remained tenuous under repeated ultimatums from Washington. Analysts note Trump has backed away from multiple self-imposed deadlines throughout the standoff.

Trump said he has spoken recently with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chinese President Xi Jinping about the Iran situation, signaling that efforts to resolve the standoff span multiple diplomatic channels.

Trump said the military option remains fully on the table, emphasizing that U.S. forces stand ready for an immediate strike if Iran does not agree to his terms. Whether the standoff moves toward a deal or renewed conflict hinges on negotiations whose contours remain undisclosed.