Gulf Countries Unaware of US Attack Plans on Iran Until Trump Announcement
Quick Look
- Some Gulf countries were unaware of the US's planned attack on Iran until President Trump announced its postponement.
- Leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE convinced Trump to pursue diplomacy, while other Gulf officials expressed surprise.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump announced the postponement of a planned US strike on Iran on May 19, stating that leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates had convinced him to pursue diplomacy. Some Gulf countries were reportedly unaware of the impending attack.
NEW YORK, May 19. /TASS/. Some Gulf countries were unaware about the United States’ plans to attack Iran on May 19 until President Donald Trump announced his decision to postpone it, The Wall Street Journal said, citing officials from these countries.
As Trump said earlier, he was asked to hold off by the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, who convinced him to give diplomacy another chance. Several officials from other Gulf countries, meanwhile, told the newspaper that they had no idea that an attack was planned.
Trump said on May 18 that he had decided to refrain from executing a planned strike on Iran on May 19 after Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates requested him not to, believing that getting Iran to move on the nuclear issue is still possible. Trump warned however that the United States would resume strikes against Iran if a deal which Washington found acceptable was not reached soon.
The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28. On April 7, US President Donald Trump declared a two-week ceasefire with Iran. On April 11, Iran and the US held several rounds of talks in Islamabad, however both sides later reported that they were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term settlement of the conflict due to a number of contradictions. On April 21, US President Donald Trump announced his intention to extend the ceasefire with Iran.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The United States will resume strikes against Iran if an acceptable deal is not reached soon.
Likely · Short term
Open Questions
- What are the specific details of the diplomatic efforts underway?
- What are the potential consequences if a deal is not reached soon?
- What is the US's long-term strategy regarding Iran's nuclear program?
- To what extent were other Gulf countries aware of the planned attack?
