Trump Urges Iran Toward New Nuclear Agreement in Riyadh Speech/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump used his Saudi Arabia visit to publicly urge Iran toward peace and a new nuclear deal. While promoting U.S.-Saudi partnerships and investment, he also floated easing sanctions on Syria’s new government. Trump’s remarks came amid broader efforts to reassert U.S. influence in the Middle East.
Trump Middle East Strategy Quick Looks:
- Trump urges Iran to pursue “a better path” in Saudi speech
- Calls for a renewed nuclear agreement with Tehran
- Suggests lifting sanctions on Syria’s new post-Assad government
- Announces over a dozen U.S.-Saudi cooperation agreements
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes Trump warmly in Riyadh
- Gulf nations back Trump’s push to curb Iran’s regional power
- U.S. airstrikes on Houthis paused, raising tension with Israel
- Trump skips Israel visit, fueling diplomatic controversy
- Major investment deals signed; focus on AI and energy
- Trump to visit Qatar and UAE next
Deep Look: Trump Calls for Peace with Iran, Signs Major Deals in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Donald Trump used his platform at a high-profile U.S.-Saudi investment conference Tuesday to extend an olive branch to Iran, urging its leaders to “choose a new and a better path” as he advocates for a revived nuclear agreement. Trump’s remarks signaled a major diplomatic push as he kicked off a four-day Middle East trip centered around diplomacy, dealmaking, and deterring Iranian influence.
Speaking before regional leaders and global business figures, Trump stressed his preference for peace over conflict. “As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be profound,” he said.
Trump’s comments came on the heels of the fourth round of quiet negotiations between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian officials. Trump emphasized his commitment to diplomacy, adding,
“My preference will always be for peace and partnership, whenever those outcomes can be achieved.”
Saudi Investment, Syria Sanctions, and the Abraham Accords
While promoting peace with Iran, Trump also nudged Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, noting that such decisions “must come in your own time.” Riyadh has long maintained that recognition of Israel hinges on progress toward a Palestinian state, a stance complicated further by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which derailed earlier efforts under the Biden administration.
In a noteworthy diplomatic development, Trump announced a Wednesday meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former insurgent who ousted Bashar Assad last year. The White House is considering lifting sanctions on Syria, a move encouraged by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who sees the new government as a regional stabilizer and a bulwark against renewed Iranian dominance in Syria.
“We may want to take them [sanctions] off of Syria,” Trump said. “We want to give them a fresh start.”
U.S.-Saudi Agreements Signal Economic Deepening
Trump’s arrival in Riyadh was met with royal fanfare, including a rare fighter jet escort for Air Force One and a ceremonial reception led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders later signed more than a dozen bilateral agreements, enhancing cooperation on military, justice, and cultural initiatives.
At the investment forum, the prince reaffirmed $600 billion in Saudi investments in the U.S., though Trump playfully suggested aiming for $1 trillion. More deals — including in energy, artificial intelligence, and possibly arms sales — are expected during Trump’s stops in Qatar and the UAE.
The event was attended by major global business figures such as Stephen Schwarzman (Blackstone), Larry Fink (BlackRock), and Elon Musk, signaling growing international interest in the U.S.-Saudi economic corridor.
Energy, Oil Prices, and Inflation Goals
Saudi Arabia and fellow OPEC+ members have boosted oil production during Trump’s second term, aligning with his focus on lowering energy costs to curb inflation. Trump argues that cheaper oil can also undercut Russia’s leverage in its ongoing war with Ukraine.
Still, with Brent crude priced at just $64.77 per barrel — well below Saudi Arabia’s break-even target of $96–$98 — analysts question how long the kingdom will maintain increased output. The situation adds urgency to Trump’s diplomatic balancing act between economic stability and regional security.
Diplomatic Tension with Israel
Trump’s decision to skip Israel during his Middle East swing drew sharp criticism from regional observers and U.S. allies. His recent diplomatic maneuvers — including a truce with Yemen’s Houthi rebels and undisclosed talks with Hamas — have blindsided Israeli leadership.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced frustration after learning about U.S. airstrike halts in Yemen through media reports. “Israel will defend itself by itself,” Netanyahu said. “If others join us — our American friends — all the better.”
The U.S.-Israel relationship, once a cornerstone of Trump’s foreign policy, appears strained as Washington increasingly operates independently on regional security matters, leaving Tel Aviv on the sidelines.
Business and Legacy
As Trump continues his diplomatic and economic tour, the trip also has personal stakes. The Trump Organization, led by his sons, is developing real estate ventures across all three countries on the itinerary — including a luxury tower in Jeddah, a resort in Dubai, and a golf complex in Qatar.
Trump’s critics say this blending of private interests and public policy raises ethical red flags. Supporters argue it exemplifies his “America First” transactional approach, which prioritizes U.S. economic gains alongside global diplomacy.
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