Trump Tells Gulf Leaders Iran Must End Proxy Support for Deal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump told Gulf leaders in Riyadh that any nuclear deal with Iran must include an end to its support for proxy groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. He reaffirmed that Tehran must halt terrorism sponsorship and abandon its nuclear ambitions. Trump later traveled to Qatar, where he was hailed as a “man of peace” by the emir.
Trump’s Iran Warning & Gulf Tour Quick Looks
- Trump tells GCC leaders Iran must end proxy warfare
- Demands halt to support for Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis
- Says Iran must “verifiably” abandon nuclear weapon pursuit
- Warns of “unfriendly” consequences if no deal is made
- Praises Syrian leader al-Sharaa in historic meeting
- Announces U.S. sanctions on Syria to be lifted
- Erdogan and MBS back talks with Syria’s new leadership
- Qatar rolls out red carpet for Trump state visit
- Emir of Qatar calls Trump “a man of peace”
- Trump discusses Gaza, Air Force One, and Iran in Doha
Deep Look: Trump Pressures Iran to Drop Proxies, Expands Middle East Diplomacy in Qatar
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Donald Trump took direct aim at Iran during a high-stakes meeting with Gulf leaders Wednesday, demanding that Tehran end its financial and military support for regional proxy groups as a condition for any future nuclear deal with the United States.
Speaking at a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump emphasized that Iran must “stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars, and permanently and verifiably cease pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
“They cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
His comments come amid the fifth round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran, mediated in part by Oman. Trump has said that while he remains open to a deal, Iran is quickly approaching a point of no return.
“We’ll either do it friendly,” he said aboard Air Force One, “or we’ll do it very unfriendly — and that won’t be pleasant.”
Iran Reacts, Hezbollah Declines
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed Trump’s remarks as “deceitful,” but he did not address Trump’s demand that Iran withdraw support from militant groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
Trump pointed to what he called Iran’s “crumbling” influence, citing Hezbollah’s losses in a recent conflict with Israel and the collapse of its key Syrian ally, former president Bashar Assad.
“The moment is ripe,” Trump said, “for a future free from the grip of Hezbollah terrorists.”
Meeting Syria’s New Leader, Lifting Sanctions
Earlier in the day, Trump held a historic meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former insurgent commander who led the overthrow of Assad. The closed-door encounter marked the first face-to-face between U.S. and Syrian heads of state in 25 years.
Trump said the meeting went “great,” calling al-Sharaa a “young, attractive guy” with a “very strong past.” Previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, al-Sharaa once led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and was formerly associated with al-Qaida. He spent years imprisoned by U.S. forces during the Iraq War.
Despite his militant past, Trump praised his leadership: “He’s got a real shot at holding it together. He’s a fighter. He’s a leader.”
Following the meeting, Trump announced the removal of U.S. sanctions on Syria, signaling a shift in Washington’s posture. “It gives them a chance for greatness,” he said, describing the Assad-era sanctions as “crippling.”
The meeting included Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joining via video. Saudi Arabia and Turkey have both thrown their weight behind the new government in Damascus.
State Visit in Qatar: Camels, Marble, and Peace
After his GCC remarks and Syria meeting, Trump flew to Qatar, where he was met with military honors and ceremonial pageantry, including an F-15 jet escort and an elaborate camel procession.
At the Qatar Royal Court, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani told Trump: “I know that you are a man of peace. I know that you want to bring peace to this region.”
The two discussed the Israel–Hamas war, as well as regional economic partnerships. Trump noted his admiration for Qatar’s development, praising the “perfecto marble” of the royal palace and the arrival ceremony.
Qatar, a key player in Middle East diplomacy, has hosted Hamas negotiations, U.S.–Taliban talks, and maintains strong ties with both Iran and the West.
It also hosts the Al-Udeid Air Base, a major U.S. military hub in the region.
Qatar’s Controversial Gift Offer
The visit was not without controversy. Qatar has reportedly offered to gift Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft to serve as an interim Air Force One while new models are under construction. Critics say the move would amount to Trump accepting a foreign gift of immense value.
Trump defended the proposal, saying he would refurbish the aircraft and donate it to his presidential library after leaving office.
“I won’t keep it,” he said. “It’ll be a symbol of diplomacy.”
Qatar’s Global Ties and Scandals
Despite its polished international image, Qatar remains an authoritarian state where political parties are banned and media is tightly regulated. It has faced global scrutiny in recent years:
- Accused of bribing FIFA officials to host the 2022 World Cup
- Allegations of bribery involving Netanyahu’s advisers
- “Qatar-gate” scandal with EU lawmakers receiving illicit payments
- RTX Corp. (Raytheon) paid $950M over bribery and fraud tied to Qatari defense contracts
Nonetheless, Qatar remains a vital mediator in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and is one of the wealthiest nations per capita, bolstered by vast oil and gas reserves.
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