Trump Says Planned U.S. Military Attack on Iran Suspended Amid Middle East Negotiations
May 19,2026
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that a planned United States military attack on Iran has been suspended following requests from key Middle Eastern leaders and ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
In a statement shared on social media, Trump claimed he was approached by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, urging the United States to delay the planned strike on Iran.
According to Trump, the military operation had been scheduled for the following day but was halted to allow diplomatic talks to continue. He stated that negotiations are currently underway and expressed optimism that an agreement acceptable to the United States, Middle Eastern nations, and the wider international community could be reached.
Trump emphasized that any future agreement must ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. He further revealed that he had instructed U.S. military officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Daniel Caine, to stand down from the scheduled attack while remaining prepared for possible military action if negotiations fail.
The statement has sparked significant international attention amid ongoing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security concerns in the Middle East.
