Iran war: Trump's series of unenforced deadlines

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military strikes against Iran over the past 12 weeks but has consistently postponed attacks in hopes of reaching a diplomatic deal, primarily demanding Iran open the Strait of Hormuz and relinquish enriched uranium.
• The war's impact on the U.S. economy is significant, with inflation reaching a three-year high largely due to fuel price spikes caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for about 20% of the world's oil.
• Trump has extended multiple deadlines for Iran, initially threatening strikes on March 21, then postponing attacks several times through negotiations and requests from Middle Eastern allies, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Pakistan.
• On April 7, Trump announced a two-week ceasefire contingent on Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz, describing the situation as close to resolution, and later extended this to an indefinite ceasefire at Pakistan's request due to Iran's internal political fractures.
• Despite ongoing threats, Trump has continued to delay military action, citing serious negotiations and ally requests, most recently on May 18 when he postponed a planned attack amid talks involving Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.