On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump met with leaders and representatives of Arab and Islamic countries to discuss the latest developments in the war with Iran and efforts to reduce escalation and enhance diplomatic channels. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting was attended by heads of delegations from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
The meeting was attended by high-level officials, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Other attendees included Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Fahad Al-Zeidi, and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, as well as foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.
Trump said at the beginning of the meeting that his emissaries, Steve Wittkoff and Jared Kushner, had held "a very productive meeting" with mediators regarding Iran, noting that they were "just mediators" and that he was waiting to see what the talks would lead to. He added that mediation efforts had been ongoing for some time, but that he saw "a lot of momentum" pushing Iran to reach an agreement, based on what the parties involved in the communications were conveying.
Trump also noted that the Iranian economy was in a "very bad" situation, expressing hope that Tehran would take a step that would serve the interests of its people, and considering that "the other option is not acceptable to any party". The meeting also reviewed efforts to contain tensions and prevent the expansion of the conflict in the region, and to enhance political and diplomatic channels to address existing crises.
The meeting also touched on the situation in Gaza, with Trump praising the role of Arab and Muslim leaders in reaching a Gaza agreement, saying that a similar meeting was held last year on the sidelines of the General Assembly, which contributed to achieving progress that led to what he described as a "historic peace agreement" weeks later.
The meeting comes at a time when tensions are running high in the region, with Iran's nuclear program and its military activities in the Middle East being a major concern for the international community. The US has been working to strengthen its alliances with Arab and Muslim countries to counter Iranian influence in the region.
The key points discussed during the meeting included the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Iran, the importance of enhancing diplomatic channels, and the situation in Gaza. The meeting demonstrated the commitment of the US and Arab and Muslim countries to work together to address the challenges facing the region.
Key points
- Trump met with Arab and Muslim leaders to discuss Iran and Gaza.
- The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- The attendees included high-level officials from several Arab and Muslim countries.
