Trump Expected to Meet Gulf Leaders in New York Over Iran War Strategy

NEW YORK: US President Donald Trump is expected to meet leaders and foreign ministers from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in New York next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, with discussions expected to focus on the Iran war and US plans for the period after the conflict.

According to Axios, citing three people with direct knowledge of the plans, the meeting is expected to take place on September 22. The US State Department has already sent initial invitations to the Gulf countries.

The six GCC states are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. The meeting could also be expanded to include leaders from other Arab and Muslim countries, although no final decision has been announced.

Post-War Strategy to Be Discussed

According to the Axios report, the meeting is expected to go beyond discussions about a ceasefire and focus on the Trump administration’s plans for the post-war period.

Trump and his senior officials are working on what has been described as a “day-after plan”, which could be finalised following the November midterm elections.

The planned discussions come as Gulf countries hosting US military facilities have themselves been affected by Iranian attacks and disruptions to regional energy and shipping routes.

Trump Says Iran War May Be Nearing End

Trump said on Wednesday that he hoped the war with Iran was approaching its conclusion.

He also said that Iran wanted to reach an agreement and that Washington had received a message to that effect directly from Tehran. However, there has been no announcement of a final ceasefire or comprehensive agreement between the two sides.

The planned Gulf meeting could therefore provide an opportunity for Washington to discuss the next phase of the conflict and the wider regional security arrangements with its Arab partners.

US-Houthi Militia Contacts in Oman

The diplomatic activity comes alongside a reported confidential meeting between US officials and representatives of the Houthi militia in Oman.

According to Reuters, the meeting took place at the US Embassy in Muscat and was facilitated by Oman. Sources said representatives of the Houthi militia assured US officials that they would not target American or Israeli vessels and would continue observing the 2025 ceasefire understanding.

The Houthi militia reportedly indicated that Saudi-linked vessels would be treated differently, according to the Reuters account.

The meeting highlights Washington’s efforts to contain the conflict and prevent its expansion to additional maritime routes in the region.

Houthi Militia Advances Raise Regional Concerns

The reported US-Houthi militia contacts came after the group’s military advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including the capture of strategically significant areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The developments have heightened concerns in Saudi Arabia over the security of its territory, energy infrastructure and alternative oil-export routes.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently met US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah following the escalation involving the Houthi militia.

Gulf States Face Economic and Security Pressure

The continuing conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while rising tensions around Bab al-Mandab have created additional risks for global energy and trade routes.

Reuters reported that only a small number of commodity vessels were passing through Hormuz on Thursday, while traffic through Bab al-Mandab remained below its recent average.

For Gulf countries, the combined security and economic pressures have increased the importance of consultations with Washington over the conflict and its possible aftermath.

No Final Settlement Yet

Although Trump has signalled that the war could be approaching a different phase, major issues between the United States and Iran remain unresolved.

The proposed September 22 meeting is therefore expected to focus on regional security, the next stage of the Iran conflict and post-war planning, while Washington continues its diplomatic contacts with Gulf states and other regional actors.