Trump cancels planned Iran attack

May 18, 2026

Trump says he called off a planned military strike on Iran scheduled for the next day, but is threatening a full-scale assault if no deal is reached — bad news for oil markets, the global economy, and anyone hoping the conflict ends soon.

  • Trump claims Middle East leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE asked him to hold off on attacking Iran so a nuclear deal can be negotiated.
  • Oil prices stayed above $100 a barrel, showing markets do not believe tensions are over.
  • US polling shows 65% disapprove of how the Iran conflict is being handled, but the White House says decisions are not based on opinion polls.
  • The blockade and the Strait of Hormuz situation are pushing inflation higher worldwide, hitting developing countries and Asia especially hard.
  • Trump is boxed in — he needs a win to justify the war's costs, but the global situation is already worse than before the fighting started.

Outlook: Expect more threats and stalled talks, with oil prices and inflation staying high until either a deal happens or a wider attack begins.

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