Trump Calls Off Iran Strike at Request of Gulf Allies; Tensions Follow Khamenei's Death

President Donald Trump announced on May 18, 2026, that he was postponing a planned major military strike on Iran scheduled for May 19 at the request of Gulf allies Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, who believe they are close to reaching a deal with Tehran. The decision comes amid escalating tensions following the death of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz while the U.S. maintains a blockade of Iranian ports, having redirected 85 commercial vessels since mid-April. Trump's announcement immediately reduced petroleum futures by more than $2 to $107.25 per barrel, though he instructed the military to remain prepared for a full-scale assault if negotiations fail. Iranian state television dismissed the decision as a 'retreat' based on 'fear,' while Iran's foreign minister cited lack of trust as the biggest obstacle to reaching an agreement.

Trump strike cancellation

• ▪Former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026.
• ▪Iranian state TV called President Donald Trump's announcement a "retreat" based on "fear" shortly after the announcement on May 18, 2026.
• ▪President Donald Trump said he had planned "a very major attack" on Iran but put it off "for a little while, hopefully, maybe forever."
• ▪President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran in late February 2026 at the war's outset.
• ▪President Donald Trump announced on May 18, 2026, that he was holding off on a military strike on Iran that had been planned for May 19, 2026.

Gulf allies mediation role

• ▪Iran and allied Shiite militias in Iraq have launched drone attacks targeting the Gulf Arab states in the war.

Oil market impact

• ▪Minutes before President Donald Trump's announcement on May 18, 2026, petroleum futures had been trading at $108.83 a barrel.
• ▪Petroleum futures ended on May 18, 2026, at $107.25 a barrel.
• ▪President Donald Trump's announcement about negotiations almost instantly shaved more than $2 off the price of petroleum futures.

Strait of Hormuz closure

• ▪The U.S. is blockading Iranian ports and has redirected 85 commercial vessels from mid-April through May 18, 2026, according to U.S. Central Command.
• ▪Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on May 18, 2026, that the immediate concern of the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran was keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.
• ▪A drone strike sparked a fire on the edge of the United Arab Emirates' sole nuclear power plant on May 17, 2026, in what authorities called an "unprovoked terrorist attack."
• ▪Iranian defense systems were activated late on May 18, 2026, on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran nuclear program status

• ▪Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on May 18, 2026, that at present there isn't a situation that poses a real threat from Iran's nuclear program.
• ▪Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on May 18, 2026, that much of Iran's enriched uranium that could potentially be used for a nuclear weapon was buried under collapsed tunnels following attacks in June that the U.S. launched with Israel.

Negotiation sticking points

• ▪A ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was reached in mid-April 2026.
• ▪Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on May 18, 2026, that Iran's nuclear program remained a central issue in negotiations.
• ▪Iran's foreign minister said on May 15, 2026, that a lack of trust was the biggest impediment to negotiations.

Perspective of Iranian state media

• ▪Iranian state TV characterized President Donald Trump's May 18, 2026 announcement to hold off on striking Iran as a 'retreat' motivated by 'fear.'

Perspective of Turkey (as mediator)

• ▪Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan assessed on May 18, 2026, that Iran's nuclear program does not currently pose a real threat.

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