Trump to meet Gulf leaders in New York to discuss Iran war endgame

President Donald Trump is set to meet with Gulf leaders in New York next week to discuss the next steps of the Iran war, as the US focuses on a potential postwar strategy following nearly seven months of conflict. The meeting, which will take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, will involve foreign ministers or leaders from the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. Axios reported this information based on three sources with direct knowledge of the plans.

The State Department had initially sent invitations to the meeting on Wednesday, with the talks potentially expanding to include other Arab and Muslim leaders. The discussions are expected to center around the US ideas for the aftermath of the war, with Trump and his team working on a comprehensive "day-after" plan that is anticipated to be finalized after the November midterm elections.

The Gulf states, which have been directly affected by the conflict, will have an opportunity to voice their opinions on how the war concludes and what will follow. Iran has been targeting several Gulf countries hosting US military installations, and disruptions to regional oil and natural gas exports have led to broader economic consequences. Although no ceasefire or final agreement has been announced, Trump believes that an end to the conflict may be near, stating that "hopefully we are towards the end of the war."

Trump claims Iran is eager to reach an agreement and asserts that Washington has received direct communication from Tehran. Despite the ongoing violence, including Iran's retaliation against US and Israeli attacks with strikes across the region and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, signs of behind-the-scenes diplomacy have emerged elsewhere in the region.

US officials reportedly held talks with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis in Oman over the weekend, facilitating communication to ensure they would not attack US vessels and were committed to their 2025 ceasefire with Washington. The State Department, however, did not confirm the meeting but emphasized the protection of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the export of terrorism from the Middle East as core US interests.