Donald Trump Postponed U.S. Attack on Iran After 'Hajj Warning' Amid Gulf Leaders' Request

On May 20, 2026, Donald Trump declared that a U.S. military strike on Iran had been delayed. The Wall Street Journal cited a request from Gulf leaders as the reason for the postponement. The article noted that the decision was made in response to diplomatic pressure from regional allies. The Middle East Eye provided an exclusive report stating that the delay was attributed to a 'Hajj warning,' a reference to a potential attack on Muslim pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage. This explanation diverged from the WSJ's account, which emphasized the influence of Gulf leaders in the decision. Both sources agreed that the attack was postponed, but they offered conflicting reasons for the delay, highlighting the lack of consensus on the exact cause of the decision.