Trump Delays Iran Strike; Bitcoin Nears $77,000

President Donald Trump wrote on his social platform on May 18 that he had halted a planned U.S. military strike on Iran at the request of leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He wrote that any deal must rule out a nuclear-armed Iran and added that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Daniel Caine would keep U.S. forces ready for a full assault if talks collapse.

The announcement prompted an immediate market response. Bitcoin climbed back above $77,000, rising about 0.8% in the hour after the post, though it remained roughly 2% lower over the prior 24 hours. The S&P 500 edged up about 0.10% to above 7,400, Nasdaq 100 futures moved from roughly 28,740 to 28,980 in the same window, and spot gold ticked higher to around $4,560.

The pause followed a tense weekend. On Sunday, Trump warned Iran the “clock is ticking,” and bitcoin fell below $77,000. Exchanges recorded about $580 million in long position liquidations within a roughly four-hour span during that period of heightened selling.

Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds recorded more than $1 billion in weekly outflows ahead of the announcement, ending a six-week inflow streak as expectations for U.S. rate cuts faded. For the week running May 11, BTC ETFs saw about $1.03 billion in outflows and ETH ETFs about $263 million, the third-largest weekly outflow so far this year. Late January recorded larger ETF outflows, with BTC ETFs near $1.5 billion in one week.

Traders and analysts noted markets would watch whether Tehran accepts a framework outlined by Gulf mediators and any further posts from Trump. Volatility in the near term remained sensitive to fresh public statements and official responses from Iran and Gulf intermediaries.

No additional U.S. military action has been reported since the announced pause. Market moves unfolded within minutes of the post and trading conditions remained dependent on developments in diplomacy and official statements.