Former U.S. President Donald Trump postponed a planned military strike on Iran after receiving warnings that launching an attack during the Hajj season could severely damage Washington’s image in the Muslim world, according to a report by Middle East Eye. Two senior Gulf officials reportedly cautioned the Trump administration that such an operation could trigger a major crisis in the region, potentially trapping hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. A senior U.S. official confirmed that discussions took place and that Trump was warned about possible reputational harm.

The report notes that the Hajj, scheduled to begin on May 24 and last six days, draws around one million foreign pilgrims annually. An attack during this period could have disrupted air travel across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, particularly affecting passengers from South and East Asia. Trump later stated that he delayed the strike at the request of Gulf leaders, including those of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Unnamed officials suggested that hostilities might resume after the Hajj. The report also highlights ongoing regional tensions following earlier U.S. and Israeli strikes and Iran’s retaliatory actions against American interests in the Gulf.