President Trump said Monday he is pumping the brakes on a planned military strike against Iran after urgent appeals from key Middle Eastern allies pushed the White House toward one last round of negotiations.
In a dramatic TRUTH Social announcement, Trump revealed that a scheduled Tuesday assault on Iran has been postponed as “serious negotiations” unfold behind the scenes.
“Serious negotiations are now taking place,” Trump wrote, signaling a sudden shift away from immediate military action after days of escalating rhetoric.
The president said the outreach came directly from Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who urged him to give diplomacy more time.
According to Trump, the Gulf leaders believe “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 added that any agreement must include one non-negotiable demand: “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!”
But the president made clear the military option remains fully loaded.
Trump said he instructed War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Daniel Caine to stand down temporarily while remaining ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
“We will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow,” Trump said, adding that military leaders were also ordered “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 high-stakes pause comes after days of increasingly dire warnings from the president toward Tehran.
Speaking to The Post earlier Monday, Trump said he was too busy to discuss specifics because “too many things are happening,” but warned that Iranian leaders already know “what’s going to be happening soon.”
He also emphasized he was “not open” to concessions from Tehran.
This story is developing…
"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… we will NOT be doing the scheduled… pic.twitter.com/cxBBaNUB6E
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 18, 2026
