Trump postpones planned strikes on Iran as Gulf leaders say nuclear deal is close to being sealed
US President Donald Trump said on May 19 that he had postponed planned attacks on Iran after the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and "others" told him they believe a deal to fully end the war is close to being sealed. Trump informed Israel of his decision and signalled willingness to settle without further military action: "If we can do that without bombing the hell out of 'em, I'd be very happy." Iran warned Washington against a new "strategic mistake" while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security Cabinet to discuss renewed fighting.
US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on May 19 that he has decided to delay the resumption of attacks on Iran because several regional nations told him a deal to fully end the war is close. The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and unspecified "others" had asked him to delay strikes "because they think that they are getting very close to making a deal," Trump said. "And if we can do that, where there's no nuclear weapon going into the hands of Iran, and if they're satisfied, we will be probably satisfied also."
Pressed on whether he expected to follow through, Trump added: "There seems to be a very good chance that they can work something out. If we can do that without bombing the hell out of 'em, I'd be very happy." He said he had informed Israel and "other people in the Middle East" of his decision.
The delay arrives days after Trump signalled on Air Force One that a 20-year moratorium on Iran's nuclear program could be enough to seal a deal -- a shift from earlier zero-enrichment demands that drew warnings from Newt Gingrich on May 12 that the president faced a "very difficult choice" between his base and a settlement.
Iran issued its own warning to Washington on the same day. A senior Iranian military commander said the armed forces were "more prepared and stronger than before" and cautioned the US and its allies against a new "strategic mistake" or miscalculation. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security Cabinet to discuss the possibility of renewed fighting with Iran, Hebrew media reported. Israel's Channel 12 separately reported that Washington has asked Israel to keep dozens of US refueling aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion Airport through the end of the year.
For now, the Gulf mediation track remains in play. Trump did not commit to a timetable, set no explicit terms, and left open the option of returning to strikes if the diplomatic effort fails.