Exclusive: Trump postponed US attack in Iran after 'Hajj warning'

Exclusive: Trump postponed US attack in Iran after 'Hajj warning' Submitted by Shafik Mandhai on Wed, 05/20/2026 - 12:23 Sources tell Middle East Eye the US president was told of severe 'reputational damage' if he resumes war during the Muslim pilgrimage, as well as global air travel disruptions Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque in Mecca during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage in June (AFP) Off US President Donald Trump postponed a planned attack on Iran this week after being warned by Gulf allies and his own officials not to resume the war during the Hajj pilgrimage, Middle East Eye can reveal. According to two senior Gulf officials, Trump was told that attacking Iran during the Hajj piligrimage would lead to a crisis within Gulf states, as it would leave hundreds of thousands of pilgrims stranded. The sources also said that Trump was told that attacking during the holy period, which leads up to the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, would further damage Washington's standing in the Muslim world.