President Donald Trump said the U.S. will hold off on attacks on Iran, planned for Tuesday, at the request of Middle East allies.
Last updated: Monday, May 18, 2026 9:47PM GMT President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.
Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan in April failed to reach a peace deal. Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of a U.S. blockade until negotiations are concluded "one way or the other.
"Trump says he's postponing strikes on Iran, at Middle East allies' request, in hopes of deal President Donald Trump said on social media that the U.S. will hold off on attacks on Iran, planned for Tuesday, at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, because "serious negotiations are now taking place" and that a deal acceptable to the U.S. "will be made. " Trump said he has asked the Pentagon to prepare for "a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment's notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.
"At least 3,020 people have died in Lebanon and another 9,273 have been injured since the Iran war began, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. President Donald Trump is expected to hold a meeting of his top national security advisors in the Situation Room on Tuesday, according to an administration official familiar with the plans.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss next steps on Iran and the potential for new military action against the country, the official said. Over the weekend, Trump met with members of his national security team at his golf club in Virginia to strategize on Iran, the official said, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff participated in the meeting, the official said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in a press briefing on Monday that Tehran had responded to the latest American negotiation proposal. Backdropped by a billboard of Iran's national soccer team, a man holds a portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
"What can be said with certainty is, first of all, that rights are not something we are to negotiate or compromise over," Baghaei said, including Iran's right to enrichment as set out by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. "There is no need for another party to recognize this right for Iran. This right already exists," he added.
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