Trump Expected to Meet Gulf Leaders for Iran War Talks During UN General Assembly
President Trump is expected to meet with leaders from several Gulf nations in New York next week for high-level discussions about the ongoing war with Iran and potential plans for ending the nearly seven-month conflict.
The meeting is expected to take place Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and include leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. Other Arab and Muslim leaders could also participate.
Discussions are expected to focus heavily on what comes after the fighting ends. The Trump administration has been developing ideas for a broader postwar strategy as officials consider security arrangements, Iran’s nuclear program and the future stability of the region.
The Gulf states have been directly affected by the conflict. Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against American military facilities in countries hosting U.S. forces, while disruptions to oil and natural gas exports have created significant economic consequences throughout the region.
Trump expressed optimism Wednesday that the fighting could be approaching its conclusion. Speaking at the White House, the president said he hoped the United States was “towards the end” of the war and suggested that diplomatic efforts were continuing.
Trump has previously said he believes the conflict will end after the November midterm elections, arguing that Tehran is attempting to hold out until Americans vote. Vice President JD Vance has also suggested that the conflict could enter a new phase within the next several months.
The administration’s detailed postwar strategy is not expected to be finalized until after the midterms. Gulf governments are expected to have significant input because of their proximity to Iran and the direct military and economic consequences they have experienced during the fighting.
Energy security will also likely be a major part of the discussions. The conflict has disrupted normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, contributing to higher energy prices and broader concerns about the world economy.
The Iran conflict is expected to be one of several major international issues dominating this year’s UN General Assembly. World leaders will begin gathering in New York next week for meetings covering conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, artificial intelligence and other global challenges.
The planned meeting gives Trump an opportunity to coordinate directly with some of America’s closest regional partners as his administration considers how the Iran war could ultimately conclude. While Trump has expressed optimism about an end to the fighting, the details of any lasting settlement and the political and security arrangements that would follow remain unresolved.