Washington, 19 May (H.S.):

President Donald Trump announced late Monday that he is postponing a military strike on Iran scheduled for Tuesday, citing “serious negotiations” underway and direct requests from key Middle East allies to delay the action.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates urged him to hold off on the attack, arguing that diplomacy still has a meaningful window to succeed.

The president did not disclose specifics about the planned operation but emphasized that the U.S. military has been ordered to remain on immediate readiness for a “full, large-scale assault” if an acceptable deal is not reached.

“For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them,” Trump had warned just days earlier.

The decision marks the latest in a series of high-stakes deadlines set by Trump and then walked back, a pattern that has characterized his approach to Iran over recent weeks. He has repeatedly threatened to end the fragile ceasefire struck in mid-April unless Tehran agrees to stringent terms, yet each deadline has been followed by renewed diplomatic engagement rather than immediate military action.

Trump’s reversal comes after intense behind-the-scenes outreach from Gulf states fearful of regional escalation. The leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE reportedly conveyed that a negotiated settlement remains possible and that a sudden strike could destabilize the Gulf and disrupt global energy markets.

Pak, acting as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, has been facilitating talks, with Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirming that discussions are continuing.

The White House has not released detailed terms of the proposed deal, but reports indicate the U.S. has outlined five conditions, including limiting Iran to a single nuclear facility and transferring its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Trump has also signaled a willingness to consider a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear program, a notable shift from his earlier insistence on a complete termination.

Despite the pause, Trump made clear that the option of force remains on the table. He instructed the Pentagon to keep forces prepared to launch a large-scale assault “on a moment’s notice” if negotiations fail. This posture reflects an attempt to balance diplomatic pressure with the threat of overwhelming military action—a strategy that has defined his Iran policy since the mid-April ceasefire.

Trump has also held conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chinese President Xi Jinping about the crisis, underscoring the global dimensions of the standoff.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar