Breaking News! Trump Calls Off Attack on Iran: Can New Peace Proposal Break the Middle East Deadlock?
2026-05-19 07:50:16
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday (May 18) that he had suspended planned military strikes against Iran to create space for ongoing peace talks. This decision, made after Iran submitted a new peace proposal to Washington through Pakistan, marks a significant turning point in the weeks-long conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. While the regional situation remains under a fragile ceasefire, the attitudes of all parties have shown some flexibility, accompanied by continued tension and uncertainty.
On Monday, Trump stated explicitly that he had instructed the U.S. military to postpone the planned attack scheduled for the following day, but simultaneously ordered troops to remain on high alert, indicating that a full-scale military operation would be launched immediately should negotiations fail to reach an acceptable agreement. Previously, this attack plan had not been publicly announced, and it was difficult to confirm whether the U.S. military had completed the necessary preparations. If the attack were to proceed, it would signify a new high-intensity phase in the war launched by Trump in late February.
In a public post, Trump revealed that the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates had personally requested him to postpone the action. These leaders believed that the impending agreement would not only serve U.S. interests but would also have a positive impact on the Middle East and the wider region. Trump did not disclose specific details of the agreement but emphasized that negotiations were ongoing.
Iran has formally submitted a new peace initiative to the United States through Pakistan. Pakistani sources confirmed that Islamabad has played a crucial role in relaying information between the parties since hosting the only round of direct peace talks last month. The core of this latest proposal includes: an immediate end to the current war, the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, and the partial unfreezing of Iranian overseas assets by the United States.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global oil shipping route, which Iran had previously effectively blocked. This proposal explicitly prioritizes reopening the strait. Simultaneously, Iran hopes to lift some maritime sanctions. Although Pakistan has hinted at difficult negotiations, changing objectives among parties, and an increasingly tight timeframe, maintaining this channel still offers the possibility of a diplomatic solution.
Following Trump's announcement of a pause in attacks, Iran swiftly responded through state media, maintaining a firm stance. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that Tehran's position had been formally conveyed to the US through Pakistan. The Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran's Supreme Joint Military Command, issued a statement warning the US and its allies against any strategic errors or miscalculations regarding attacks on Iran.
The agency's commander, Ali Abdollahi, stated that the Iranian armed forces are fully prepared to respond swiftly, decisively, and comprehensively to any new act of aggression. Iranian state media emphasized that its military strength is greater than ever before and it is ready to pull the trigger at any time. A senior Iranian source revealed that the peace proposal is similar in its main framework to the plan previously dismissed by Trump as "garbage," but with some pragmatic adjustments.
It is noteworthy that the US position in these negotiations appears to have shifted. According to a senior Iranian source, the US has agreed to unfreeze a portion of Iranian funds held in foreign banks, approximately one-quarter of the total, amounting to tens of billions of dollars. Simultaneously, the US has shown greater flexibility in allowing Iran to continue its peaceful nuclear activities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and core disputes such as its nuclear program and uranium enrichment may be postponed to later stages of negotiations.
Furthermore, reports have surfaced that the US agreed to suspend oil sanctions against Iran during the negotiations. However, US officials have not confirmed these details, and one unnamed US official even denied the veracity of some of the reports. This indicates that significant differences remain between the two sides on key issues, requiring further consultation.
The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has now lasted six weeks, with a fragile ceasefire agreement reached. However, tensions have not completely subsided, with recent drone attacks originating in Iraq targeting Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. These drones are believed to be linked to Iran and its allies. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has condemned Sunday's drone attacks, while Saudi Arabia stated it successfully intercepted some of the threats.
Overall, while Trump's decision to suspend negotiations has opened a window for peace talks, the situation in the Middle East remains complex and fragile. Whether the negotiations can ultimately reach a comprehensive agreement depends on the willingness of all parties to compromise on core interests and on their ability to effectively manage unexpected risks on the battlefield.
Q1: Why did Trump suddenly suspend attacks on Iran?
A: Trump's decision was primarily based on Iran's new peace proposal and the personal requests from leaders of key regional countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to suspend operations. He hoped to use this opportunity to push for an agreement that could end the war, while maintaining military deterrence as a backing for negotiations. This reflects the US's current preference for diplomatic pressure rather than immediate escalation of military conflict, in order to avoid the potentially enormous costs of a full-blown resurgence of war.
Q2: What are the core contents of Iran's peace proposal?
A: The proposal's key points include an immediate end to the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz (a crucial global oil route), lifting some maritime sanctions, and the US unfreezing some of Iran's overseas assets. Iran wants to prioritize resolving battlefield and economic pressure issues, while postponing further discussions on sensitive disputes such as its nuclear program. This is similar to the proposal previously rejected by Trump, but it includes more pragmatic concessions, showing that Tehran, despite its tough stance, is also seeking to break the deadlock.
Q3: Why does Pakistan play an important role in the negotiations?
A: Since hosting the only round of peace talks last month, Pakistan has served as a communication bridge between the parties to the Middle East conflict. This Iranian proposal was also conveyed to Washington through Islamabad. As a neutral third party, Pakistan's participation helps reduce the risk of direct confrontation, but Pakistani sources also acknowledged that the constantly shifting objectives of the parties have made negotiations difficult and time-sensitive.
Q4: Has the US position really softened?
A: According to Iranian sources, the US has agreed to partially unfreeze funds, suspend oil sanctions, and show flexibility in monitoring nuclear activities, which does indicate a softening of stance. However, the US government has not officially confirmed these developments and has even denied some reports, suggesting that the two sides are still engaged in intense negotiations. Trump has retained the option to launch a large-scale attack at any time, indicating that his strategy of negotiating while exerting pressure has not fundamentally changed.
Q5: Is the situation in the Middle East truly stable at present?
A: Currently, only a fragile ceasefire remains in place, and drone attacks continue to occur, indicating a high potential risk. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz poses a threat to the global energy market. While all parties are willing to negotiate, historical grievances, disagreements over the nuclear issue, and conflicting interests among allies make reaching a comprehensive peace agreement extremely challenging. Any miscalculation could lead to a rapid deterioration of the situation; therefore, the international community continues to closely monitor the progress of the negotiations.
The core events
On Monday, Trump stated explicitly that he had instructed the U.S. military to postpone the planned attack scheduled for the following day, but simultaneously ordered troops to remain on high alert, indicating that a full-scale military operation would be launched immediately should negotiations fail to reach an acceptable agreement. Previously, this attack plan had not been publicly announced, and it was difficult to confirm whether the U.S. military had completed the necessary preparations. If the attack were to proceed, it would signify a new high-intensity phase in the war launched by Trump in late February.
In a public post, Trump revealed that the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates had personally requested him to postpone the action. These leaders believed that the impending agreement would not only serve U.S. interests but would also have a positive impact on the Middle East and the wider region. Trump did not disclose specific details of the agreement but emphasized that negotiations were ongoing.
Iran submits new proposal through a third party
Iran has formally submitted a new peace initiative to the United States through Pakistan. Pakistani sources confirmed that Islamabad has played a crucial role in relaying information between the parties since hosting the only round of direct peace talks last month. The core of this latest proposal includes: an immediate end to the current war, the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, and the partial unfreezing of Iranian overseas assets by the United States.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global oil shipping route, which Iran had previously effectively blocked. This proposal explicitly prioritizes reopening the strait. Simultaneously, Iran hopes to lift some maritime sanctions. Although Pakistan has hinted at difficult negotiations, changing objectives among parties, and an increasingly tight timeframe, maintaining this channel still offers the possibility of a diplomatic solution.
Iran maintains a tough military stance
Following Trump's announcement of a pause in attacks, Iran swiftly responded through state media, maintaining a firm stance. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that Tehran's position had been formally conveyed to the US through Pakistan. The Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran's Supreme Joint Military Command, issued a statement warning the US and its allies against any strategic errors or miscalculations regarding attacks on Iran.
The agency's commander, Ali Abdollahi, stated that the Iranian armed forces are fully prepared to respond swiftly, decisively, and comprehensively to any new act of aggression. Iranian state media emphasized that its military strength is greater than ever before and it is ready to pull the trigger at any time. A senior Iranian source revealed that the peace proposal is similar in its main framework to the plan previously dismissed by Trump as "garbage," but with some pragmatic adjustments.
Washington's stance shows signs of softening
It is noteworthy that the US position in these negotiations appears to have shifted. According to a senior Iranian source, the US has agreed to unfreeze a portion of Iranian funds held in foreign banks, approximately one-quarter of the total, amounting to tens of billions of dollars. Simultaneously, the US has shown greater flexibility in allowing Iran to continue its peaceful nuclear activities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and core disputes such as its nuclear program and uranium enrichment may be postponed to later stages of negotiations.
Furthermore, reports have surfaced that the US agreed to suspend oil sanctions against Iran during the negotiations. However, US officials have not confirmed these details, and one unnamed US official even denied the veracity of some of the reports. This indicates that significant differences remain between the two sides on key issues, requiring further consultation.
Current fragile ceasefire and potential risks in the region
The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has now lasted six weeks, with a fragile ceasefire agreement reached. However, tensions have not completely subsided, with recent drone attacks originating in Iraq targeting Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. These drones are believed to be linked to Iran and its allies. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has condemned Sunday's drone attacks, while Saudi Arabia stated it successfully intercepted some of the threats.
Overall, while Trump's decision to suspend negotiations has opened a window for peace talks, the situation in the Middle East remains complex and fragile. Whether the negotiations can ultimately reach a comprehensive agreement depends on the willingness of all parties to compromise on core interests and on their ability to effectively manage unexpected risks on the battlefield.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why did Trump suddenly suspend attacks on Iran?
A: Trump's decision was primarily based on Iran's new peace proposal and the personal requests from leaders of key regional countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to suspend operations. He hoped to use this opportunity to push for an agreement that could end the war, while maintaining military deterrence as a backing for negotiations. This reflects the US's current preference for diplomatic pressure rather than immediate escalation of military conflict, in order to avoid the potentially enormous costs of a full-blown resurgence of war.
Q2: What are the core contents of Iran's peace proposal?
A: The proposal's key points include an immediate end to the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz (a crucial global oil route), lifting some maritime sanctions, and the US unfreezing some of Iran's overseas assets. Iran wants to prioritize resolving battlefield and economic pressure issues, while postponing further discussions on sensitive disputes such as its nuclear program. This is similar to the proposal previously rejected by Trump, but it includes more pragmatic concessions, showing that Tehran, despite its tough stance, is also seeking to break the deadlock.
Q3: Why does Pakistan play an important role in the negotiations?
A: Since hosting the only round of peace talks last month, Pakistan has served as a communication bridge between the parties to the Middle East conflict. This Iranian proposal was also conveyed to Washington through Islamabad. As a neutral third party, Pakistan's participation helps reduce the risk of direct confrontation, but Pakistani sources also acknowledged that the constantly shifting objectives of the parties have made negotiations difficult and time-sensitive.
Q4: Has the US position really softened?
A: According to Iranian sources, the US has agreed to partially unfreeze funds, suspend oil sanctions, and show flexibility in monitoring nuclear activities, which does indicate a softening of stance. However, the US government has not officially confirmed these developments and has even denied some reports, suggesting that the two sides are still engaged in intense negotiations. Trump has retained the option to launch a large-scale attack at any time, indicating that his strategy of negotiating while exerting pressure has not fundamentally changed.
Q5: Is the situation in the Middle East truly stable at present?
A: Currently, only a fragile ceasefire remains in place, and drone attacks continue to occur, indicating a high potential risk. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz poses a threat to the global energy market. While all parties are willing to negotiate, historical grievances, disagreements over the nuclear issue, and conflicting interests among allies make reaching a comprehensive peace agreement extremely challenging. Any miscalculation could lead to a rapid deterioration of the situation; therefore, the international community continues to closely monitor the progress of the negotiations.
- Risk Warning and Disclaimer
- The market involves risk, and trading may not be suitable for all investors. This article is for reference only and does not constitute personal investment advice, nor does it take into account certain users’ specific investment objectives, financial situation, or other needs. Any investment decisions made based on this information are at your own risk.
