President Donald Trump has postponed plans for a military strike against Iran at the request of Middle Eastern allies. While the U.S. has kept the option of large-scale military action open in case negotiations fail, Iran has acknowledged the possibility of dialogue but insists it will not compromise on its legal rights.
On May 18, Trump announced on social media platform Truth Social that he received requests from Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to hold off on the military action against Iran.
He added that he instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Cain not to proceed with the planned attack on Iran scheduled for May 19.
Trump stated, "These Middle Eastern leaders believe serious negotiations are underway, and they think an agreement will be reached that will be very acceptable to the U.S., the Middle East, and all other countries. This agreement will include, above all, a prohibition on Iran's possession of nuclear weapons."
However, he also indicated that if a satisfactory agreement is not reached, he has directed military readiness for an immediate and large-scale attack on Iran.
According to the Associated Press, Trump expressed optimism about the negotiations during an event at the White House focused on lowering drug prices. He remarked, "They seem to have a very good chance of reaching a deal. If we can do this without launching a major attack, I would be very happy."
He noted that while a significant attack was planned, it has been postponed "for a while, hopefully, maybe forever," explaining that U.S. allies in the Gulf requested a few days to see if they could reach an agreement with Iran.
Iran has not dismissed the possibility of dialogue but has made it clear that it will not engage in negotiations that imply capitulation to U.S. pressure. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "Dialogue does not mean surrender. The Islamic Republic engages in dialogue based on dignity, authority, and the preservation of the rights of the people," adding that it will not back down from its legal rights under any circumstances.
Ongoing Differences in Positions
While the U.S. and Iran continue negotiations to end hostilities, significant differences remain between the two sides. Trump is using military options as leverage to pressure Iran into presenting a compromise that includes a substantial abandonment of its nuclear program.
According to Axios, Iran recently submitted a revised proposal with 14 points to the U.S. through a mediator, Pakistan. The proposal reaffirms Iran's stance of having no intention to develop nuclear weapons while leaving the door open for a long-term suspension of its nuclear program. It reportedly includes plans to transfer some enriched uranium to Russia and gradually reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the U.S. has agreed to suspend some sanctions on Iranian oil exports during the negotiation period. However, a senior U.S. official told Axios that Iran's new proposal contains only formal improvements compared to previous offers and does not represent meaningful progress.
The U.S. views the suspension of uranium enrichment and the issue of existing enriched uranium as key demands, but noted that Iran's latest proposal lacks specific commitments on these points. The official warned, "Substantial and detailed discussions on the nuclear program are necessary; otherwise, we will end up talking through bombs," indicating the potential for military action.
Iran remains resolute against the U.S.'s hardline demands accompanied by military threats. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has recently indicated it may introduce a permit system for internet cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz, attempting to create new leverage in negotiations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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