Trump's Middle East Diplomacy with Iran and Syria

The article reveals that Iran has been using criminal gangs to carry out hit jobs abroad, according to court documents seen by the BBC. There has been a sharp rise in plots by the Iranian regime to kidnap or assassinate dissidents, journalists, and political foes living abroad since 2022. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have been accused of planning attacks abroad, and evidence suggests they have been working with international criminal gangs to carry out these operations.

President Trump stated that the US and Iran have "sort of" agreed to terms on a nuclear deal during a business roundtable in Doha, Qatar. Trump described the talks between American envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as "very serious negotiations" for "long-term peace". Despite progress, Trump emphasized that military action against Iran's nuclear facilities remains a possible option if talks fail. Trump's comments came during a four-day visit to Gulf states, where he also met with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and agreed to lift yearslong sanctions on Syria. Trump urged al-Sharaa to join Saudi Arabia in signing onto the US-backed Abraham Accords to normalize ties with Israel.

The article reports that President Trump's announcement to lift all sanctions on Syria caught senior Treasury officials by surprise. The decision was made during a speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was welcomed by Syria's transitional government, which has been lobbying for sanctions relief. The Treasury Department is now scrambling to understand the implications of the announcement and determine the speed and extent to which the decades-old sanctions can be rolled back. The sanctions, which date back to 1979, have restricted economic activity within Syria and its dealings with other countries. The article also notes that some work was underway at Treasury before the president's announcement for an incremental lifting of sanctions, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration would be implementing the president's announcement.

During his visit to the Middle East, President Donald Trump expressed his desire to make a deal with Iran, provided they cease sponsoring terror and pursuing nuclear weapons. He also praised the Abraham Accords and announced plans to add more countries to the agreement. Trump addressed leaders at the Gulf Cooperation Council, discussing the future of the Middle East and the potential for a prosperous and peaceful region.

US President Donald Trump is on a Middle East tour, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, where he has discussed Iran's nuclear program. Iran has expressed willingness to make concessions on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. A top Iranian official, Ali Shamkhani, stated that Iran is prepared to commit to not making nuclear weapons, reducing its enriched uranium stockpiles, and allowing international inspections. Trump has asked Qatar to use its influence over Iran to persuade it to give up its nuclear program.