Trump Meets Arab and Regional Leaders at UNGA as Iran Diplomacy Continues

NEW YORK: US President Donald Trump met with Arab and other regional leaders on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York as diplomatic efforts surrounding the US-Iran conflict continued.

The meeting brought together senior representatives from Gulf Cooperation Council countries as well as leaders and officials from Türkiye, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Lebanon. Qatar’s official account of the meeting said discussions focused on Middle East security, regional and international stability, energy supplies and the economic impact of the conflict.

Trump briefed the regional leaders on the latest contacts with Iran and said there was momentum toward a possible agreement.

He said Witkoff and Kushner had participated in lengthy discussions involving Iranian officials and regional mediators, describing the talks as productive.

The US president also reiterated that Iran could not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons and said further negotiations were expected.

The participants exchanged views on the continuing conflict and its wider implications for regional security and energy supplies.

The meeting also focused on diplomatic efforts to address the crisis and the possibility of advancing dialogue between Washington and Tehran.

The gathering came as the Strait of Hormuz remained a major issue in the conflict, with Iran linking the reopening of the waterway to conditions including an end to the US naval blockade and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

No major agreement was announced at the meeting, but the discussions highlighted continued regional diplomatic engagement over the conflict.

Trump has said a deal with Iran could be reached after the US midterm elections, while also leaving open the possibility that an agreement could come earlier.