Trump says Iran seeks deal
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran has directly reached out to Washington and wants to negotiate a deal, while suggesting the conflict could be nearing an end.
Asked about the current phase of the war, Trump said: “Hopefully we are towards the end of the war.”
“They want to make a deal, and we’ll see how that works out,” Trump told reporters after landing in North Carolina.
Trump said the contact with Iran had come directly rather than through intermediaries.
His comments came as tensions remained high over the Strait of Hormuz, despite a memorandum signed in June that envisioned reopening the strategic waterway as part of a broader path toward a peace agreement.
The US and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran in February, striking government buildings, military facilities, missile infrastructure and air defenses. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US bases across the region, with the conflict subsequently spreading beyond the initial areas of fighting.
Trump plans Gulf talks in New York
Trump is also expected to meet Gulf leaders next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss the conflict and plans for the period after the fighting, Axios reported Wednesday, citing three people familiar with the matter.
The meeting is expected to include representatives from the six Gulf Cooperation Council states — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.
According to the report, discussions will focus on US proposals for a postwar strategy, as the Trump administration works on a broader “day-after” plan. The plan is expected to be finalized after the US midterm elections in November.
The meeting could also be expanded to include additional Arab and Muslim leaders, Axios reported. The US State Department sent initial invitations on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also wants to meet Trump in New York, but no meeting has been scheduled, according to the report.
The developments come as diplomatic efforts continue alongside the fighting, with Washington now signaling that direct contacts with Tehran could provide a possible route toward ending the conflict.
Source:AA
