US President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Gulf leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next Tuesday to discuss the next steps in the war with Iran and preparations for the postwar period, Axios reported, citing sources with direct knowledge of the plans.
The meeting is expected to focus on US proposals for the next phase of the conflict, as Washington seeks to coordinate with countries in the region on arrangements for the period following the war.
Representatives or foreign ministers from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman — are expected to attend. Additional Arab and Muslim leaders could also be invited, according to reports.
Trump said on Wednesday that he hoped the war with Iran was nearing an end. Asked about Iran, he told reporters: “They want to make a deal. We’ll see how that works out.” He also said he had heard from Iran “directly,” without providing further details.
The expected meeting comes as Trump has said the United States has entered the “last stages” of the war with Iran, adding that Tehran is strongly seeking an agreement.
Trump made the remarks after arriving at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina during a campaign trip in support of Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley.
His comments came hours after the US House of Representatives voted 220-204 on Tuesday on a war powers resolution aimed at restricting Trump’s ability to continue military operations against Iran without congressional approval.
Trump has previously suggested that the war in Iran could end after the US midterm elections and has said Tehran is seeking negotiations. Details of any potential diplomatic track between Washington and Tehran, however, remain unclear.
Vance: Conflict Could Enter a Different Phase
US Vice President JD Vance said the war with Iran could enter a “completely different phase” within two months, adding that the United States is not currently engaged in offensive operations and is focusing on the next stage of the conflict and the broader regional situation.
In an interview with the All-In Podcast, Vance warned that a US withdrawal from the conflict could leave regional countries to deal with the crisis on their own and potentially contribute to a global energy crisis. He defended the continued US military role in protecting maritime navigation and oil and gas flows.
Vance said the Trump administration was working to protect US assets in the region and ensure continued access to oil and natural gas supplies in global markets. In another interview, he said traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had returned to more than 50% of normal levels.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, with roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally passing through it. The war and restrictions on shipping through the strait have disrupted energy flows.
Recent shipping data cited by Reuters showed that only four vessels transited the strait on Tuesday, compared with a 10-day average of 18 vessels, while Brent crude rose above $100 a barrel in September amid concerns about further disruptions to regional supplies.
Iran, meanwhile, accuses the United States of starting the war and causing disruption to maritime traffic and energy flows, rejecting the US account of responsibility for the crisis.
Trump Threatens Tariffs Over Canada-EU Move
Separately, Trump suggested that the European Union’s decision to allow Canada to join as an associate member could be considered a “hostile act”, and threatened additional tariffs on Europe.
Trump said the decision on tariffs would depend on the intentions of European leaders, adding that if their intentions were positive, there would be no issue, but if they were not, Washington could impose very high tariffs on Europe. He also raised the possibility of halting trade with Europe in certain areas.
Trump described the possibility of Canada joining the European Union as “ridiculous” and called Canada a “very bad trading partner.”
Washington and Tehran reached a temporary memorandum of understanding in June, but it did not bring the conflict to a definitive end. Fighting later resumed, particularly amid disagreements over the status of the Strait of Hormuz and mechanisms for reopening it to international shipping.
Source: Agencies
