Trump says delaying Iran attack at request of Gulf leaders

Published May 19, 2026 Updated May 19, 2026 05:27am

US President Donald Trump said he would “hold off” an attack on Iran scheduled for Tuesday at the request of Gulf leaders, AFP reports.

Trump said on his Truth Social network that “serious negotiations” were now underway with Iran and that Gulf states believed “a deal will be made”.

But he said Washington was ready for a “full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached”.

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