Trump delays new attack on Iran to pursue diplomacy

Washington — US President Donald Trump has decided to temporarily refrain from further attacks on Iran to give diplomatic avenues a chance, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing US officials. The report says Trump convened a meeting with senior US national security officials on Friday morning (May 22) to discuss the next steps regarding Iran, but did not make an official decision. The president, according to the report, told several senior officials that he wanted to buy more time for diplomacy to proceed. However, other American media outlets indicated a different picture, with Trump reportedly seriously weighing a new strike on Iran. Additionally, several US officials and service members were reported to be cancelling long-planned vacations ahead of Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed each year on the last Monday of May. The day is dedicated to honoring and remembering those who died while serving in the US military. Originally known as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in the late 19th century, the holiday was made a national holiday by Congress in 1971. Americans observe Memorial Day with a nationwide moment of silence at 3:00 p.m. local time, and many hold military ceremonies and parades, with officials laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. Beyond its historical significance, the Memorial Day weekend unofficially marks the start of summer; many Americans use the time for holidays, trips to the beach, family gatherings and barbecues.