President Donald Trump speaks at the site of ongoing construction of the planned White House ballroom in Washington, D.C., on May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he was "an hour away" from striking Iran when Middle East allies asked him to stop.
Trump was speaking to press at the White House ballroom construction site when he started taking questions. He was asked about the reversed decision on Monday to stop a strike in Iran after several countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates that said they needed more time while "serious negotiations are now taking place."
He signaled the conflict was not over, although the military operation was postponed.
"We may have to give them another big hit," Trump said.
Q: How close were you to striking Iran yesterday?
TRUMP: I was an hour away pic.twitter.com/LbsR6X5nWe
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 19, 2026
