Former US President Donald Trump announced on Monday, 18 May, that a scheduled military attack on Iran had been postponed. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated he had instructed the US military to be prepared for a 'full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment's notice', but that the immediate action had been called off.
According to Trump's post, the decision to halt the planned strike came after leaders from several Gulf states intervened. He claimed that the heads of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia had approached Washington, appealing for the attack to be delayed to allow for continued diplomatic discussions.
The specific nature or timing of the 'scheduled attack' was not detailed in Trump's statement, nor were the exact ongoing talks mentioned. However, the revelation underscores the volatile geopolitical climate in the Middle East and the complex diplomatic pressures influencing US foreign policy decisions in the region.
This development follows a period of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly during Trump's presidency. Relations deteriorated significantly after the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.
The involvement of Gulf states highlights their strategic interest in regional stability. Nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE often play a delicate balancing act, maintaining alliances with the US while also seeking to manage potential escalations that could destabilise their own borders and economies. Their reported intervention suggests a preference for diplomatic pathways over military confrontation in the immediate term.