Barakah drone attack condemned, Trump considers Iran options and new Gulf logistics route opens

On 18 May 2026, Trump said he was holding off on a US attack on Iran that had been planned for Tuesday, after a request from Gulf allies. He told the military to be ready 'on a moment's notice'. Haaretz reported that he signaled a nuclear deal may be possible, and TASS reported that the US is waiting for a written Iranian renunciation of plans to build nuclear weapons.

NPR reported that the US and Israel are preparing for a possible return to full-scale war with Iran, and talks between Netanyahu and Trump fueled such fears. An Iranian general rejected Trump's claim that Iran's defense power was destroyed. Separately, a drone attack on Barakah was condemned and a new Gulf logistics route opened, according to The National.