conflictMonday, May 18, 202623 sources

Trump Calls Off Planned Iran Strike at Request of Gulf Allies

President Donald Trump announced he had called off a planned military strike on Iran scheduled for Tuesday at the request of Gulf leaders, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The decision followed 'serious negotiations' to end the war with Iran. Oil prices declined as the announcement reduced concerns about potential Iranian supply disruptions.

President Donald Trump confirmed on May 18, 2026, via social media that he had called off a planned military strike on Iran, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday. The decision was reportedly made at the request of Gulf leaders, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Trump stated that 'serious negotiations' were underway to end the war with Iran, though the exact nature of these talks was not detailed. Some sources mention the strike was planned for Tuesday, while others do not specify the exact day. The exact reason for the delay is not consistently reported across all sources, with some citing 'serious negotiations to end the war' and others referring to 'peace talks with Tehran'.

Where Sources Diverge

Some sources mention the planned strike was scheduled for Tuesday, while others do not specify the exact day.

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Planned Iran Strike

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Strike planned for Tuesday

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Strike planned for Tuesday

The exact reason for the delay is not consistently reported across all sources.

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Serious negotiations to end the war

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Serious negotiations under way

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Peace talks with Tehran

Timelines

Sources

StateAnadolu AgencyMay 20, 01:22 PM
Oil prices fall on easing Iran supply concerns - Anadolu Ajansı

Oil prices fall on easing Iran supply concerns  Anadolu Ajansı

IndependentMiddle East EyeMay 20, 09:35 AM
Oil prices fall after Trump predicts quick end to Iran war - Middle East Eye

Oil prices fall after Trump predicts quick end to Iran war  Middle East Eye

IndependentGhana WebMay 20, 07:29 AM
Oil price slumps as Trump says he called off Iran attacks - GhanaWeb

Oil price slumps as Trump says he called off Iran attacks  GhanaWeb

WireReutersMay 20, 05:39 AM
Oil prices ease after Trump says US will end Iran war 'very quickly' - Reuters

Oil prices ease after Trump says US will end Iran war 'very quickly'  Reuters

WireReutersMay 20, 05:35 AM
Oil prices ease after Trump says US will end Iran war 'very quickly' - TradingView

Oil prices ease after Trump says US will end Iran war 'very quickly'  TradingView

IndependentBloombergMay 20, 02:01 AM
Oil Holds Decline as Traders Weigh Trump’s Latest Iran Threats - Bloomberg.com

Oil Holds Decline as Traders Weigh Trump’s Latest Iran Threats  Bloomberg.com

IndependentMiddle East EyeMay 19, 11:09 PM
Oil prices fall after Trump pauses planned Iran attack - Middle East Eye

Oil prices fall after Trump pauses planned Iran attack  Middle East Eye

IndependentJerusalem PostMay 19, 10:18 PM
Why did Gulf states ask Trump to hold off on Iran strikes? - analysis - The Jerusalem Post

Why did Gulf states ask Trump to hold off on Iran strikes? - analysis  The Jerusalem Post

IndependentMiddle East EyeMay 19, 07:21 PM
Trump says US was close to launching new strike on Iran - Middle East Eye

Trump says US was close to launching new strike on Iran  Middle East Eye

PublicFrance 24May 19, 02:19 PM
Trump says holding off on strike on Iran at request of Gulf allies

After issuing thinly veiled threats against Iran over the weekend, US President Trump appeared to strike a different tone on May 18. He described ongoing peace talks with Tehran as “very positive” and even claimed he had paused a planned US military strike.

StateAnadolu AgencyMay 19, 11:45 AM
Oil prices retreat after Trump delays Iran military strike - Anadolu Ajansı

Oil prices retreat after Trump delays Iran military strike  Anadolu Ajansı

IndependentEuronewsMay 19, 10:44 AM
Oil prices slip as Trump calls off planned military strike on Iran

Oil prices fell on Tuesday morning as Donald Trump announced he was calling off a planned military attack on Iran.

PublicNPRMay 19, 09:27 AM
Trump says he's called off Iran strike at request of Gulf allies

President Donald Trump says he is holding off on a military strike on Iran planned for Tuesday because "serious negotiations" are underway to end the war.

IndependentBloombergMay 19, 02:41 AM
Trump Says Iran Strike Called Off After Discussions - Bloomberg.com

Trump Says Iran Strike Called Off After Discussions  Bloomberg.com

IndependentBloombergMay 19, 02:01 AM
Oil Declines After Trump Says He Called Off Strike on Iran - Bloomberg.com

Oil Declines After Trump Says He Called Off Strike on Iran  Bloomberg.com

IndependentWashington PostMay 19, 12:39 AM
Trump says he's called off Iran strike planned for Tuesday at request of Gulf allies - The Washington Post

Trump says he's called off Iran strike planned for Tuesday at request of Gulf allies  The Washington Post

IndependentEuronewsMay 19, 12:34 AM
Trump: I called off attack on Iran planned for Tuesday

The US president said he had been asked to do so by the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as "serious negotiations are now taking place."

IndependentMiddle East EyeMay 19, 12:22 AM
Trump says Gulf leaders urged delay to planned US strike on Iran - Middle East Eye

Trump says Gulf leaders urged delay to planned US strike on Iran  Middle East Eye

IndependentDaily Star LebanonMay 19, 12:09 AM
Trump Says US Delayed Planned Iran Strike After Gulf Leaders Requested Pause - The Daily Star Lebanon

Trump Says US Delayed Planned Iran Strike After Gulf Leaders Requested Pause  The Daily Star Lebanon

IndependentSouth China Morning PostMay 18, 11:43 PM
Trump says he has called off Tuesday’s planned Iran strike at request of Gulf allies

US President Donald Trump said he is calling off a military strike on Iran planned for Tuesday because “serious negotiations” are under way. Trump’s announcement in a social media post on Monday came as he had threatened the clock was ticking for Iran to strike a deal or fighting would renew after a fragile ceasefire. The president did not offer details about the planned attack but said but he instructed the US military “to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a...

WireAssociated PressMay 18, 11:18 PM
Trump says he’s called off Iran strike planned for Tuesday at request of Gulf allies - AP News

Trump says he’s called off Iran strike planned for Tuesday at request of Gulf allies  AP News

IndependentBloombergMay 18, 11:16 PM
Trump Says He Called Off a Planned Military Strike Against Iran - Bloomberg.com

Trump Says He Called Off a Planned Military Strike Against Iran  Bloomberg.com