{"id":2151,"date":"2026-05-18T22:24:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T22:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=2151"},"modified":"2026-05-18T22:24:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T22:24:05","slug":"trump-calls-off-full-scale-iran-attack-that-was-planned-for-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=2151","title":{"rendered":"Trump calls off &#8216;full scale&#8217; Iran attack that was &#8216;planned for tomorrow&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_e189fa\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Donald Trump says he delayed a planned military strike on Iran after the Emir of Qatar, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and President of the UAE asked him to hold off, with &#8220;serious negotiations&#8221; now underway<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">23:11, 18 May 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 23:15, 18 May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37174229\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Donald Trump \" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174229.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174229.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174229.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174229.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Donald Trump claims he has been asked to 'hold off' on planned attacks on Iran\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Donald Trump claims he has been asked to &#8216;hold off&#8217; on planned attacks on Iran<cite aria-label=\"Image: AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Donald Trump has announced he will &#8220;hold off&#8221; on planned US attacks on Iran set for Tuesday (May 19), following requests from Gulf leaders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In a social media post today (May 18) Trump stated that the Pentagon had postponed its &#8220;planned Military attack&#8221; on Iran, which he said <a aria-label=\"&quot;was scheduled for tomorrow&quot;Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/news\/latest-news\/donald-trump-warns-destruction-iran-37160203\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">&#8220;was scheduled for tomorrow&#8221;<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The delay was due to &#8220;serious negotiations&#8221; currently in progress, Trump said, adding that Gulf leaders had informed him they believed &#8220;a deal will be made&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!&#8221; he asserted in the post on Truth Social.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The president cautioned that Washington remained prepared for a &#8220;full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment&#8217;s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.&#8221;, reports <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/trump-backs-down-full-scale-37173927\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">the Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37174233\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37174233\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, Friday, May 15, 2026, as he returns from a trip to Beijing, China. (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174233.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Trump-China-26135554637239.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174233.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Trump-China-26135554637239.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174233.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Trump-China-26135554637239.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174233.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Trump-China-26135554637239.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Trump states there has been 'progress' in the talks\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Trump states there has been &#8216;progress&#8217; in the talks<cite aria-label=\"Image: AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In the post he said: &#8220;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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;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&#8217;s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37174239\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37174239\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"This US Navy handout photo released on May 7, 2026 by US Central Command Public Affairs, shows the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) implementing a maritime blockade against the Iran-flagged crude oil tanker vessel Stream while the latter was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, on April 26, 2026. The war launched by the US and Israel in late February saw Iran respond with attacks across the Middle East and maintain a stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, choking off major flows of oil, gas, and fertilizer to the world economy, while the US has imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports. (Photo by US NAVY \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT &quot;AFP PHOTO \/ US NAVY \/ NAVCENT PUBLIC AFFAIRS&quot; - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174239.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_US-IRAN-ISRAEL-WAR.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174239.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_US-IRAN-ISRAEL-WAR.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174239.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_US-IRAN-ISRAEL-WAR.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37174239.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_US-IRAN-ISRAEL-WAR.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Trump says he was preparing military for a major strike on Iran (file)\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Trump says he was preparing military for a major strike on Iran (file)<cite aria-label=\"Image: US NAVY\/AFP via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: US NAVY\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Any US strike on Iran would signal the collapse of the delicate ceasefire agreed by both nations on April 8.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The development follows the President&#8217;s warning yesterday that the &#8220;clock is ticking&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Esmail Baghaei, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, maintained Iran&#8217;s final proposal to the US was &#8220;responsible&#8221; and &#8220;generous&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Hostilities commenced on February 28 following a combined US-Israeli strike on Iran. Pakistan has been attempting to broker talks between the US and Iran, yet both nations remain considerably distant from reaching an accord.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">newsletters<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Donald Trump says he delayed a planned military strike on Iran after the Emir of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2152,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558.jpg",1200,674,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558-768x431.jpg",640,359,true],"large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558-1024x575.jpg",640,359,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558.jpg",1200,674,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558.jpg",1200,674,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558-1115x674.jpg",1115,674,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558-800x500.jpg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558-1024x575.jpg",1024,575,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558-540x340.jpg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Trump-China-26135554824558-400x250.jpg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?cat=7\" rel=\"category\">Stories<\/a>","tag_info":"Stories","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2151"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2151\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}