President Donald Trump said he paused a planned U.S. attack after Iran sent a peace proposal on May 18, 2024 [1].
The move signals a potential shift from immediate military confrontation toward a diplomatic resolution regarding Iran's nuclear programme. This pause follows urgent requests from regional leaders in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to avoid conflict while a mutually acceptable agreement is pursued.
Trump announced the decision through a Truth Social post and a televised interview. He said the pause was prompted by Tehran's new proposal and the desire of regional partners to hold off on military action. The president indicated that the current diplomatic trajectory could lead to a stable arrangement for the Middle East.
"There is a very good chance we will get a deal that is acceptable to the United States and all the countries in the region," Trump said [1].
Despite the pause, the president maintained a firm tone toward the Iranian government. He warned the nation to act quickly to secure a diplomatic outcome to avoid further escalation.
"Get smart soon, Iran, and accept the nuclear deal," Trump said [2].
The U.S. administration is currently reviewing the revised proposal, which was delivered via Pakistan [1]. Trump said the military halt was a direct response to the communication from Tehran.
"We have paused the attack after Tehran sent a peace proposal," Trump said [3].
“"There is a very good chance we will get a deal that is acceptable to the United States and all the countries in the region."”
The decision to pause military action suggests that regional intermediaries—specifically Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—still hold significant influence over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. By leveraging a peace proposal delivered through Pakistan, Iran has successfully created a diplomatic window to avoid a direct strike, shifting the immediate focus back to the long-standing goal of limiting its nuclear capabilities through a formal agreement.
