United States President Donald Trump has said he has temporarily halted a planned military strike on Iran to allow negotiations to end the conflict in the Middle East.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social network on 18 May that he told the military:
“We will not carry out the planned attack on Iran tomorrow.”
At the same time, he instructed military commanders to be prepared for “a full-scale attack on Iran at any time if no acceptable agreement is reached.”
Trump, under pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce the economic impact of the war, said the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had urged him to refrain from attacking as “a deal will be made”.
Earlier, according to Reuters, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed Ismail Baqai said Tehran’s position was conveyed to Washington via Pakistan. At the same time, a Pakistani source warned: “We don’t have much time.”
Iran’s proposal reportedly prioritises ending the conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing sanctions, while postponing disputes over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Iranian sources also claimed that Washington showed more flexibility on frozen assets and civilian nuclear activities, although the US did not confirm any concessions.
Earlier, US publications reported on the US president’s meeting with his national security team scheduled for 19 May.
As The New York Times wrote, in May, Trump’s closest aides prepared plans for new strikes on Iran in case the White House decides to escalate the conflict. Among the proposed options are large-scale bombing of Iranian military facilities and a ground operation to remove enriched uranium from Iran.