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Donald Trump says ‘good chance’ of Iran nuclear deal after delaying strike

By Thomson Reuters May 18, 2026 | 5:15 PM

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON, May 18 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said on Monday there was ​a “very good chance” the ‌United States could reach an agreement with Iran to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, hours after ‌saying ​he had postponed ⁠a planned military ⁠attack to allow negotiations to continue.

Trump said leaders from key U.S. allies in the Middle ​East had asked him to delay a planned military ⁠attack on Iran ⁠scheduled for Tuesday to ​allow negotiations with Tehran to ​continue, while warning the U.S. remained ‌prepared to launch a large-scale assault if no agreement is reached.

“There seems to be ⁠a very good chance that they can work something out. If we can ⁠do ‌that without bombing the ⁠hell out of them, ​I ‌would be very happy,” ​Trump told ⁠reporters gathered for a drug price announcement on Monday.

(Reporting By Steve Holland and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Caitlin Webber and ​Deepa Babington)