US President Trump postpones 'planned attack' on Iran, citing serious negotiations

US President Donald Trump on May 18 announced he would postpone a 'planned attack' on Iran after requests from Middle East leaders. On Truth Social, Trump said the reversal came as 'serious negotiations are underway.'

'A deal will be made, one that will be very acceptable to the United States, as well as to all Middle Eastern countries and beyond,' Trump wrote.

The US president cited the intervention of Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as reasons for changing his mind. He also said he had instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Daniel Caine, and the US military 'not to proceed with the planned attack on Iran tomorrow.'

However, Trump stressed he had 'directed them to be prepared to launch a full-scale, massive attack on Iran immediately, in the event that an acceptable deal is not reached.'

A day earlier, Trump had threatened that 'the clock is ticking' for Iranian officials to reach a deal, or else 'there will be nothing left of them.' Pakistan has been acting as a mediator since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.

Trump has argued that war is necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, despite Tehran's denials. In his May 18 post, Trump reiterated that nuclear weapons are a 'red line,' and asserted the deal would include 'NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN.'

The Trump administration is also seeking to limit Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities, sever Tehran's ties with regional allies, and dismantle Iran's missile arsenal and navy. However, Iran considers these demands excessive and calls for the release of frozen assets and the lifting of economic sanctions.

Control of the Strait of Hormuz is another flashpoint, as Iran disrupts trade through this vital waterway, and the US responds with a naval blockade.

On the same day, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on social media that his government would protect national interests. 'Dialogue does not mean surrender,' Pezeshkian said. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran enters dialogue with dignity, authority, and protection of the rights of the nation, and will not back down from any legitimate rights of the people and the country.'

Iran and the US had reached a ceasefire agreement on April 8, after a series of threats from Trump. However, the truce is fragile, and both sides accuse each other of violations. In late April, Trump withdrew Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner from negotiations due to dissatisfaction with progress.

The war with Iran has also become a political burden for Trump, as the Republican Party faces a tough midterm election contest in November. A New York Times poll showed 64% of US adults believe entering the war with Iran was a mistake. According to Pentagon officials, the war has cost at least $29 billion, and some experts estimate the figure could be much higher.

Al Jazeera correspondent Almigdad Alruhaid in Tehran comments that Trump's statement does not change the Iranian leadership's stance. 'They are showing defiance rather than concession in response to these words from Donald Trump. They also emphasized mutual trust and respect. This kind of language is not accepted here.'

Some analysts suggest Trump's latest message is aimed at Gulf states like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, which are suffering missile fire from the conflict. Dania Thafer, Executive Director of the International Gulf Forum, says these countries hope to avoid escalation. 'What they want is a solution to the crisis they are facing,' she says. From the Gulf states' perspective, the priority is not the nuclear issue but reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iran's missile program, which has fired thousands of missiles at them.