President Trump Prepares for Middle East Tour: Iran Strategy and Saudi Deal in Focus

President Donald Trump is set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, focusing on Iran's nuclear policy and a potential U.S.-Saudi deal. Trump's Iran strategy involves either a nuclear deal or military action, drawing parallels to Libya's disarmament. The U.S. may finalize a Saudi agreement without Israeli involvement, despite stalled Gaza ceasefire talks. The trip may include renaming the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Gulf, a move likely to provoke Iran. Trump's visit aims to reshape U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, prioritizing regional stability over traditional alliances.

Trump’s Iran Strategy: Deal or Deterrence

President Trump has made clear that any new nuclear agreement with Iran must result in the “total dismantlement” of Tehran’s nuclear program. Drawing parallels to Libya’s 2003 disarmament, Trump has expressed a preference for a deal that allows U.S. officials to enter Iran, dismantle its nuclear infrastructure, and transport it to secure storage—similar to how Libyan centrifuges and uranium were flown to Oak Ridge, Tennessee under President George W. Bush.

“We haven’t made that decision yet,” Trump told reporters when asked whether Iran would be allowed to maintain a civilian nuclear enrichment program. “We will, but we haven’t made that decision yet” Trump says the US hasn’t decided whether to allow Iran to continue a civilian nuclear enrichment.

Trump’s stance is rooted in skepticism over Iran’s intentions. “What do you need that for? You have a lot of oil,” he said in a recent interview, dismissing Iran’s claim to peaceful nuclear energy. The administration’s position is that Iran must choose between peaceful dismantlement or face military consequences. “If we don’t make a deal, I’ll be leading the pack,” Trump warned, referencing potential military action Trump signals US might ease chip export curbs on some Gulf countries.

This hardline approach comes as Iran faces mounting internal and external pressures. The regime’s regional proxies—Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis—have suffered significant setbacks, and Iran’s economy continues to reel under U.S. sanctions. Trump’s administration believes this moment presents a rare window of maximum leverage over Tehran Trump has a decision to make: Should he negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran or subject Iran to “bombing the likes of which they’ve never seen”?.

U.S. Considers Saudi Deal Without Israel

While Iran remains a central concern, the Trump administration is also pushing forward with a strategic realignment in the Gulf. A senior U.S. official recently confirmed that Washington is prepared to finalize a comprehensive agreement with Saudi Arabia even if Israel refuses to support a ceasefire in Gaza.

“President Trump is determined to move forward with a significant deal with Saudi Arabia, even without Israeli involvement,” the official said, according to Israeli media US official says Washington may advance Saudi deal without Israel: Reports.

The proposed U.S.-Saudi-Israel deal, modeled on the 2020 Abraham Accords, aims to normalize diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tel Aviv. In exchange, the U.S. would offer Saudi Arabia a defense pact, access to advanced weaponry, and support for a civil nuclear program. However, disagreements over uranium enrichment remain unresolved What is the proposed US-Saudi-Israel deal?.

Initially, Saudi Arabia demanded concrete steps toward a two-state solution for Palestinians. But recent reports suggest Riyadh may now accept symbolic gestures—such as a freeze on Israeli settlement expansion—if the U.S. offers sufficient incentives While Saudi Arabia originally insisted on concrete steps towards a two-state solution for Palestinians....

The U.S. official’s comments reflect growing frustration with Israel’s resistance to a ceasefire. “If Israel doesn’t come to its senses, even the ‘Deal of the Millennium’ will happen without it,” the official warned. The statement underscores a shift in Washington’s approach, prioritizing broader regional stability over traditional diplomatic alignments.

Middle East Tour and the “Arabian Gulf” Controversy

Trump’s upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates is expected to be a pivotal moment in his second-term foreign policy. The president has teased a “very, very big announcement” during the visit, though details remain undisclosed. One likely topic is the administration’s reported plan to officially rename the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf” or “Gulf of Arabia”—a move that would please Arab allies but provoke strong backlash from Iran Trump plans to announce the US will call the Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf.

“They’re going to ask me about that when I get there and I’ll have to make a decision,” Trump said when asked about the potential renaming. The issue has long been a point of contention between Iran and its Arab neighbors, and Trump’s decision could further inflame regional tensions Trump says he expects to be asked during Mideast trip for US to call Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf.

Meanwhile, Israel’s ambassador to Washington is lobbying the White House to include a brief stop in Israel during the trip. However, no such visit has been confirmed. The administration’s focus appears to be on consolidating ties with Gulf states and advancing the Saudi deal, regardless of Israeli participation The US president is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week.

Ceasefire Talks and Hostage Concerns

The backdrop to these diplomatic maneuvers is the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where ceasefire negotiations remain stalled. Trump has reportedly warned both Hamas and Israel that there would be “all hell to pay” if hostages are not released by his inauguration day—a threat aimed at pressuring both sides into compliance Trump helped secure a Gaza ceasefire deal by warning that there would be “all hell to pay”.

Families of captives held in Gaza recently met with U.S. officials, expressing concern that continued Israeli military operations could endanger their loved ones. The unusually blunt tone from the U.S. side has raised eyebrows in Israel, traditionally seen as Washington’s closest ally in the region A senior United States official has reportedly warned that Washington could move forward with its deal with Saudi Arabia without Israeli involvement.

References

• Highlights: Judge says US must allow migrants the chance to challenge deportations to Libya in court
• Trump signals US might ease chip export curbs on some Gulf countries
• US official says Washington may advance Saudi deal without Israel: Reports
• US official says Washington may advance Saudi deal without Israel: Reports
• Stagecraft and Statecraft