Delay Iran Strikes: Mideast Allies Ask Trump to Hit Pause on Iran

Advanced | January 18, 2026

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The Big Picture: A Regional “Please Don’t Do This” Moment

Several U.S. partners in the Middle East are quietly telling the Trump administration to hold off on military strikes against Iran—even as protests inside Iran turn deadly. An Arab diplomat told The Associated Press that officials from Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have raised concerns over the past 48 hours that a U.S. attack could destabilize the region and rattle the global economy. (Associated Press, Jan 15–16, 2026)

Why Allies Want to Delay Iran Strikes

From a business perspective, the fear is simple: if a conflict expands, markets don’t like surprises. The AP report noted that oil prices fell as markets picked up on Trump’s shifting tone—possibly reading it as a sign he’s leaning away from an immediate attack. (AP News, Jan 16, 2026; AP Markets, Jan 16, 2026)

At the same time, the diplomat said Arab officials also pushed Iranian leaders to end the violent repression—warning that any retaliation against U.S. forces or other targets in the region would bring serious consequences for Iran. (Associated Press, Jan 15–16, 2026)

The Situation Inside Iran: Protests, a Crackdown, and a High Death Toll

According to AP reporting, protests against Iran’s theocracy appeared increasingly smothered after authorities shut the country off from the world and escalated a crackdown that activists say has killed at least 2,637 people. That death toll is one of the reasons the White House has been weighing tough responses—while also calculating the risk of making things worse. (Associated Press, Jan 15–16, 2026; AP Explainer)

Trump’s Mixed Signals: “Help is on the Way”… Then a Sudden Shift

AP described a sharp swing in Trump’s messaging. One day, he told Iranian protesters that “help is on its way” and encouraged them to take over their country’s institutions. (AP News)

Then, soon after, he publicly claimed he had heard from “very important sources on the other side” that Iran had stopped killing protesters and wouldn’t move forward with executions. (AP News)

The Levers of Pressure: Sanctions, Force Posture, and a Lack of Carriers

Even while talk of strikes swirled, the administration used other tools. The U.S. announced new sanctions, including one targeting the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, who U.S. officials say called early for violence against protesters. The Treasury Department also designated 18 people and companies accused of laundering money from Iranian oil sales through a shadow network tied to Bank Melli and Shahr Bank. (AP News)

There’s also the practical “can we do it cleanly right now?” question. A foreign policy researcher told AP that the U.S. may be cautious because there are currently no U.S. aircraft carriers in the region, after the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group was deployed to U.S. Southern Command for a major counter-narcotics operation focused on Venezuela. That matters because carriers are a core asset for major operations. (Associated Press, Jan 15–16, 2026)

What Happens Next: The “Delay Iran Strikes” Debate Gets Real

The White House isn’t publicly locking itself into a single path. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said “all options remain on the table” and emphasized that only a very small circle knows what Trump will do. In the background, allies are pushing a simple argument: delay Iran strikes long enough to reduce the risk of a regional blow-up—while keeping economic pressure and diplomacy in motion. (Associated Press, Jan 15–16, 2026; AP Live Updates)

Vocabulary

Urged (verb) – strongly encouraged someone to do something.
Example: Several allies urged the U.S. to wait before taking military action.
Hold off (phrasal verb) – delay; wait before acting.
Example: Officials asked Trump to hold off on strikes for now.
Crackdown (noun) – harsh action to stop protests or opposition.
Example: The crackdown on protesters triggered international concern.
Destabilize (verb) – to make a situation less stable or secure.
Example: A wider conflict could destabilize the region.
Volatile (adjective) – likely to change quickly; unstable.
Example: The Middle East is already a volatile area for security and oil markets.
Rhetorical whiplash (noun phrase) – sudden, confusing shifts in messaging.
Example: Trump’s rhetorical whiplash made markets and allies nervous.
Sanctions (noun) – government restrictions meant to pressure a country.
Example: The U.S. announced new sanctions targeting Iranian officials and networks.
Designated (verb) – officially identified and listed by authorities.
Example: Treasury designated several companies tied to money laundering.
Force posture (noun) – how military resources are positioned and ready.
Example: Concerns about U.S. force posture affected the timing of decisions.
Repercussions (noun) – serious consequences that follow an action.
Example: Allies warned Iran about repercussions if it retaliated.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Which countries were reported to have urged the U.S. to hold off on strikes?
Why did allies worry about the global economy and oil markets?
What did AP say about the situation inside Iran and the reported death toll?
How did Trump’s public messaging shift over a short period of time?
Why might the lack of a U.S. aircraft carrier in the region matter?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

When should allies publicly disagree with a major power’s military plans?
Do sanctions work better than military action in most cases? Why or why not?
How do energy prices shape foreign policy decisions?
What risks do leaders face when they change messages quickly in public?
How should governments balance human rights concerns with national security?

Related Idiom / Phrase

“Hit the brakes” – to slow down or stop before doing something risky.

Example: Allies want the White House to hit the brakes and avoid a wider regional crisis.

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This article was inspired by: Associated Press, plus related AP reporting linked throughout.