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President Donald Trump, speaking at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Riyadh on Wednesday, reiterated his ambition to secure a deal with Iran. He also expressed his commitment to extending the reach of the Abraham Accords by inviting additional nations to join the historic pact.
During his address to leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Trump emphasized the importance of diplomatic progress while on his four-day visit to the Middle East.
“I want to make a deal with Iran. I want to do something if possible. But for that to happen, it must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars, and permanently and verifiably cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons. They cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump asserted.
Trump’s Approach to Sanctions
Just moments after meeting Syria’s Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the council, Trump announced his administration’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria. He believes this move could help normalize relations in the region.
Furthermore, Trump hailed the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain for their audacity in signing the Abraham Accords. This agreement, which the U.S. helped broker in 2020, allowed both nations to recognize Israel’s sovereignty and establish diplomatic relations. This diplomatic feat marked a milestone, being the first time since the Israel-Jordan peace treaty in 1994 that Israel established diplomatic ties with an Arab nation.
“In the future, we’ll continue that progress by adding more countries to the Abraham Accords,” Trump stated, highlighting a path forward for regional cooperation.
Lebanon’s Potential for Growth
Trump also shared optimism regarding Lebanon’s prospects, claiming it has a “new chance for a future free from the grip of Hezbollah terrorists if the new president and prime minister can rebuild an effective Lebanese state.” This remark underscores Trump’s belief in political reform and stability as essential components for Lebanon’s advancement.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to forge a Lebanon that is prosperous and at peace with its neighbors,” Trump added, framing Lebanon’s future as crucial for the broader Middle East.
Forging a New Era in the Middle East
In his closing remarks, Trump addressed the entire region, expressing a vision for a thriving Middle East that serves as a commercial, diplomatic, and cultural hub. He articulated his belief that the Middle East stands as the center of the world, ripe for growth and transformation.
“We’re going to forge a Middle East that will be a thriving commercial, diplomatic, and cultural crossroads at the geographic center of the world,” Trump stated, underlining his administration’s objectives.
As his Middle East tour continues, Trump plans to visit Qatar later Wednesday. His trip aims to strengthen alliances and promote diplomatic dialogue across the region.
In this context, Trump’s statements reflect an imperative strategy to reshape relations in the Middle East and combat rising tensions. The outcome of his initiatives remains to be seen, but his administration’s focus on diplomacy and regional cooperation is clear.
This report includes contributions from Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton.
