Washington, DC — May 19 (ANI): Former President Donald Trump disclosed that the United States came within an hour of launching a new military strike on Iran before pausing to allow for a possible diplomatic breakthrough.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said naval vessels were armed and ready but the operation was temporarily halted after Gulf leaders pressed for more time while negotiations continued. He warned that if talks fail the U.S. remains prepared to carry out “another big hit.” He described the pause as a “limited period of time” offered to reach a nuclear agreement and reiterated that Washington will not allow Tehran to develop atomic weapons.
Trump told reporters he believes Iran’s leadership would use a weapon if it obtained one, calling them “extremely radicalized,” and said he had directed the military to stay ready to launch a “full, large-scale assault on Iran” at a moment’s notice if an acceptable deal is not reached. Earlier on his Truth Social platform he said Gulf leaders had urged him to delay a planned attack because “serious negotiations are now taking place.”
Iran responded sharply. Its military warned it would “open new fronts” against U.S. forces if Washington resumes strikes. The rhetoric has escalated even as a fragile ceasefire from April 8 remains in place; only one round of indirect talks has occurred since the truce and produced no breakthrough.
A strategic stalemate continues at sea. Iran has kept tight control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments, while the U.S. has maintained a naval blockade of some Iranian ports. Iran’s ISNA news agency quoted military spokesman Akraminia saying Tehran will continue to oversee the waterway and that the U.S. must respect Iran’s legitimate rights.
To formalize control, Iran announced the creation of a Persian Gulf Strait Authority to regulate traffic in the strait, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that submarine fiber-optic cables traversing the waterway could be brought under a permit system.
Diplomatic efforts are ongoing but slow; officials on both sides face pressure as military postures and maritime controls remain firmly in place.
