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US President Donald Trump has said he was holding up fresh strikes at Iran at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social on Monday late afternoon, without any reference to Pakistan, the mediator in the US-Iran war.
"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 (Tuesday)," Trump said.
The President said 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 West Asia and beyond.
Before his announcement, Trump spoke on the phone with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, two sources with knowledge said, according to Axios.
Stock market benchmark indices rallied in early trade on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump said he has halted fresh strikes on Iran at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, asserting that serious discussions were underway with Tehran that could lead to an acceptable deal.
Buying in frontline IT stocks, Adani group firms and foreign fund inflows also added to the positive trend in equities.
Israeli forces intercepted dozens of boats attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. According to a report in Al Jazeera, Israel deployed a naval fleet and troops on speed boats to board the vessels in international waters off Cyprus, detaining hundreds of activists. It also says Israeli forces intercepted 22 flotilla vessels off Greece two weeks ago and detained 181 volunteers.
Pakistani officials say Washington wants to announce agreements on all issues at once, while Iran seeks a deal to end the war before a nuclear agreement, US media reports.
US President Donald Trump says, "...I put it (attack on Iran) off for a little while, hopefully maybe forever, but possibly for a little while because we've had very big discussions with Iran and we'll see what they amount to. I was asked by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and some others if we could put it off for two or three days, a short period of time, because they think that they are getting very close to making a deal...It's a very positive development, but we'll see whether or not it amounts to anything..."
#WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, "...I put it (attack on Iran) off for a little while, hopefully maybe forever, but possibly for a little while because we've had very big discussions with Iran and we'll see what they amount to. I was asked by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and… https://t.co/q2qVNckfBY pic.twitter.com/g1FWpQhtUn
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026
"We were getting ready to do a very major attack tomorrow. I have put off attacking Iran for a little while, hopefully forever, on the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and some others (in the gulf)," says US President Donald Trump.
VIDEO | Washington: "We were getting ready to do a very major attack tomorrow. I have put off attacking Iran for a little while, hopefully forever, on the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and some others (in the gulf)," says US President Donald Trump.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 19, 2026
(Source: Third Party)… pic.twitter.com/aIMe8ILOfc
Markets posted modest gains on Tuesday after weeks of volatility driven by the US-Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz closure. Investors shrugged off geopolitical risks as AI-led gains lifted stocks. Markets now face pressure from rising bond yields in Japan and the U.S., plus elevated crude prices, which may prompt the Federal Reserve to keep rates higher for longer.
Oil prices declined after US President Donald Trump said he had called off a planned military strike on Iran, raising hopes that renewed negotiations could ease tensions in the Middle East and eventually restore disrupted crude flows.
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday night that he has called off a planned military strike on Iran that was scheduled for Tuesday, citing urgent appeals from key Gulf allies who believe a negotiated deal is within reach.
Trump said 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 West Asia 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,” Trump said.
US President Donald Trump has said he was holding up fresh strikes at Iran at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social on Monday late afternoon, without any reference to Pakistan, the mediator in the US-Iran war.
"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 (Tuesday),” Trump said.
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