President Donald Trump has considered himself an effective dealmaker above all else, but he appears to have hit a wall with Iran as his tough talk, threats and even military action have not moved Tehran from its long-established positions.

With shifting goals that make it difficult to judge the status of the U.S. effort, Mr. Trump and his top aides have insisted the United States has already won the war and that Iran is ready to reach an agreement in the wake of escalating US threats during a tenuous ceasefire.

But Mr. Trump once again backed down, saying on Monday (May 18, 2026) that he had put plans for an imminent resumption of attacks on hold at the request of Gulf Arab states because “serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond”.

Although he said he had called off strikes planned for Tuesday (May 19, 2026), Mr. Trump kept up the bravado, saying he told military leaders “to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable deal is not reached”. Trump has repeatedly set deadlines for Tehran and then backed off.

Despite growing internal unrest, a crippled economy and the deaths of many of its leaders, there is no evidence Iran is set to meet Mr. Trump’s demands — many of which it has long rejected. In fact, it has dug in.

That has left Mr. Trump’s stated top objectives unrealised: Iran has yet to agree to abandon its nuclear programme or its ballistic missile development, or cease support for its proxies in the region, including those in Gaza, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen.

The White House on Monday (May 18, 2026) defended the president’s approach, saying, “Trump’s preference is always peace and diplomacy” but he will only accept a deal that puts America first. — AP