19 May 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
US President Donald Trump has said that he has decided to delay plans to resume attacks on Iran at the request of Gulf Arab states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wrote on social media on Monday that he had taken the decision because \u201cserious 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 US, as well as all countries in the Middle East, and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The far-right president also said he had told military leaders \u201cto be prepared to go forward with a full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment\u2019s notice, in the event that an acceptable deal is not reached.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has repeatedly set deadlines for Tehran and then backed off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In making the announcement, Mr Trump revealed that a decision had been taken to resume the illegal and unprovoked war that the US and Israel unleashed on Iran on February 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei repeated Iran\u2019s view that US demands were unrealistic and there remained significant obstacles to reaching a deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These include Iran abandoning nuclear enrichment and giving a guarantee that the war will end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tehran has also demanded the return of all of its assets, but a source said the US was open to the idea of returning just 25 per cent of Iranian assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran also wants the US to accept its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington has refused to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Islamic Republic still has a chokehold on the strait, even as the US military has enforced its own blockade of Iranian ports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The consequent wild shifts in the global energy market have raised petrol prices, hurting US consumers and causing potential problems for Mr Trump\u2019s Republican Party in the run-up to crucial mid-term elections in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n