Trump tells Arab leaders ‘momentum’ building for Iran deal

Dubai: US President Donald Trump conveyed to Arab and regional leaders that there is significant progress towards reaching a deal with Iran, indicating increasing diplomatic activity despite Washington's ongoing military and economic pressure on Tehran. During a side meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump addressed senior officials from Gulf states, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Syria, Egypt, as well as Trump administration officials.

Trump disclosed that his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, had met with Iranian intermediaries earlier that day. He acknowledged that the Iranians had expressed high regard for both Witkoff and Kushner. Trump expressed optimism about the prospects for a deal, indicating that he had heard positive feedback from everyone. He portrayed the leaders in attendance as pivotal in resolving the conflict, citing their past involvement in regional disputes and their potential to address the unrest that has plagued the Middle East.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, praised Trump's efforts to foster security, stability, and peace in the region and reaffirmed the UAE's support for de-escalation and lasting peace. The meeting also saw the presence of Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, and Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ministers of State and the UAE Ambassador to the United States, respectively.

While Trump emphasized that Washington's diplomatic endeavors would be accompanied by continued pressure on Iran, he highlighted the economic hardships Iran faced and hoped that Tehran would opt for a deal that would benefit its people. Trump also underscored Washington's strategy to isolate Iran financially, aiming to prompt Tehran into action before the window for a settlement closed.

He mentioned that the US Navy had cleared Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz, facilitating the restoration of oil flows through the critical waterway. Trump argued that the region needed alternative energy export routes to mitigate the risk of disruption. He concluded by stating that the US and Iran were on the brink of overcoming the challenges that had plagued the region for decades, but he also cautioned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to further US military action.