Iraq and Jordan to join Trump-GCC meeting as US-Arab diplomacy intensifies

US President Donald Trump will meet with officials from Iraq and Jordan alongside Gulf leaders at a high-stakes US-Arab diplomacy summit in New York, according to recent reports. The talks, taking place during the UN General Assembly's high-level week, will likely focus on Iran and its proxies in the region, as well as the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US.

Egypt may also be included in the discussions. Diplomacy has been ramping up in the days leading up to the UN General Assembly high-level debate, with numerous meetings, panel discussions, and interviews taking place. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended a reception for State Department staff and international media, holding several meetings aimed at advancing US diplomacy.

Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, participated in a panel discussion on Iran and regional security, advocating for a "new mindset" in relations with Iran. Ambassador Mike Waltz also attended the event, highlighting Iran's shift from supplying Hezbollah with sophisticated weapons to arming the Houthis.

The Houthis' escalating attacks in Yemen and their control of the strategic Bab Al Mandeb strait are expected to be key issues in the high-level US-Arab talks. The US withdrawal of the international coalition against ISIS from Iraq is also a significant milestone in the ongoing conflict.