Once again, we've been thrown for a loop with regard to the Trump administration, and the president's promise to give Iran what-for as their proposed deals seem to grow less and less serious. The latest twist? President Trump has taken to his Truth Social platform to announce that, at the request of several of the Persian Gulf states, he has ordered the War Department to stand down an attack that reportedly was scheduled for Tuesday.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 18, 2026
The president wrote (paragraph break added for clarity):
I have been asked by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow, in that serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond.
This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN! Based on my respect for the above mentioned Leaders, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and The United States Military, that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
If you haven't already done so, read my colleague Nick Arama's earlier updates; this will give you some idea as to how dizzying these sudden course changes can be:
Read More: Iran Tries One Last Gambit As Trump Appears Ready to Act
Iran Reportedly Hits UAE Nuclear Site, and Trump's Patience With the Regime Appears Finished
This, though, is an interesting development, especially as the states asking for this pause, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, are some of the same states Iran was tossing missiles and drones at during the active hostilities. Could they be looking to avoid a repeat of that? It's not in the interest of any of these states to leave the current power structure in Iran in place, or so we might think; having spent a little time in that area, though, the one thing we know is that people in that part of the world just don't think the same way we do.
President Trump has said repeatedly that any deal will have to include no nuclear development in Iran for at least 20 years. Only recently, he called on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and regime officials to surrender. Could that be part of the bargain being struck here? Could these Gulf states, who are not exactly the best of friends with Iran, have called Tehran, talked to whoever the top dirtbag is there at the moment, and told them, "Look, enough is enough. You lost," and persuaded Iran to accept the American terms?
We'll know soon enough. Stay tuned.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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