Speaking at the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh on Wednesday, President Donald Trump once again expressed his interest in striking a deal with Iran. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of expanding the scope of the Abraham Accords by involving more nations in this significant agreement.
Trump made the comments while addressing leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council as part of his four-day visit to the region.
Trump articulated his stance by stating, “I want to make a deal with Iran. I want to do something if possible. But for that to materialize, Iran must cease its support for terrorism, end its violent proxy conflicts, and definitively and verifiably abandon its nuclear ambitions. The prospect of Iran possessing nuclear weapons is unacceptable.”
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Leaders’ Summit at The Ritz-Carlton on May 14, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The council addresses regional stability, defense cooperation, and energy policy among Gulf nations. Trump is on a multi-nation tour of the Gulf region focused on expanding economic ties and reinforcing security cooperation with key U.S. allies. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
(Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Furthermore, Trump commended the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain for their bold decision to sign the groundbreaking Abraham Accords, a deal facilitated by the U.S. in 2020. Within the framework of this accord, the UAE and Bahrain acknowledged Israel’s sovereignty and established complete diplomatic ties. This historic development marked the first instance of Israel making peace with an Arab nation since the Israel-Jordan peace agreement in 1994.
“In the future, we’ll continue that progress by adding more countries to the Abraham Accords,” Trump said.
U.S. President Donald Trump (2R) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) prepare to pose for photos with leaders during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Leaders’ Summit at The Ritz-Carlton on May 14, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The remarks, made just moments after Trump met with Syria’s Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa on the sidelines, came a day after Trump announced his administration was lifting sanctions on Syria.
Trump also said that Lebanon had a “new chance for a future free from the grip of Hezbollah terrorists if the new president and prime minister can rebuild an effective Lebanese state.”
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“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to forge a Lebanon that is prosperous and at peace with its neighbors,” Trump said.
A general view as U.S. President Donald Trump attends the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Leaders’ Summit at The Ritz-Carlton on May 14, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
At the end of his remarks, Trump appealed to the entire region more broadly, saying: “We’re going to forge a Middle East that will be a thriving commercial, diplomatic and cultural crossroads at the geographic center of the world. It’s what it is, it’s the center of the world.”
Trump will head to Qatar later Wednesday for his second stop on the four-day Middle East tour.
Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton contributed to this report.
