Trump ends Mideast trip with calls for Iran nuclear deal and Ukraine ceasefire

Trump ends Middle East trip with calls for Iran nuclear deal and Ukraine ceasefire

Standing at Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base, Trump outlines emerging foreign policy vision

President Donald Trump, speaking from the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, concluded his multi-nation tour with a sweeping — and at times contradictory — vision for America’s role in global conflict resolution. With the symbolic backdrop of a Qatari F-15 and a U.S. Reaper drone at Al-Udeid Air Base, Trump reiterated his desire to reduce international entanglements while maintaining America’s global influence and military might.

Renewed push on Iran nuclear talks

Trump signaled renewed optimism for reengaging Iran over its nuclear ambitions, asserting that Tehran had “sort of agreed to the terms” of discussions that would prevent the development of nuclear weapons.

“They’re not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran,” he said. “We want them to be successful — to be a great country even. But they can’t have a nuclear weapon. That’s the only thing.”

This comes despite Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, which had placed restrictions on Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. His new overtures suggest a return to negotiations, though on different terms than those brokered by the Obama administration.

Gaza redevelopment and deeper U.S. involvement

In one of the more surprising announcements, Trump said he wants the United States to take control of Gaza and redevelop the war-torn strip into a “freedom zone.” While details remain unclear, such a move would dramatically escalate American involvement in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“We take care of our friends, so you have a great ally in us,” Trump said, referencing the region. “And there’s nobody even close in terms of military power.”

Ukraine peace talks and Putin meeting

Trump also confirmed he is considering a trip to Turkey for proposed peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. However, he suggested such negotiations would be fruitless without a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Nothing is going to happen until Putin and I get together,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Despite Russia sending only a low-level delegation to the talks, Trump said he would be open to attending on Friday “if it was appropriate.” He emphasized his belief in personal diplomacy and reiterated his ability to resolve even entrenched global disputes.

“I could settle that up,” Trump said of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and even conflicts between India and Pakistan. “I can settle anything.”

Contradictions and consistency

Throughout the trip, Trump oscillated between dovish rhetoric and bold interventionist proposals. In a business summit in Riyadh, he denounced previous U.S. military engagements in the region and praised local sovereignty, arguing that Middle Eastern nations thrive when left to their own devices. Yet, from the same platform, he praised close military alliances and business deals that strengthen U.S. influence.

“We had a president that blew up half the Middle East and then he left,” Trump said, criticizing Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. “Spent 10 trillion on blowing up the Middle East, and then he left. Just said, ‘Let’s leave now.’”

A business-first diplomatic style

Trump’s Middle East tour lacked a traditional foreign policy agenda, favoring instead a business-oriented approach. At a roundtable in Qatar with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, he praised transactional diplomacy and criticized the previous administration for mishandling U.S.-Gulf relationships.

“The past administration didn’t handle the relationship properly,” Trump said. “Didn’t show the kind of respect that they deserve.”

Trump’s dealings were characterized by business language and pragmatism, with emphasis on respect and mutual benefit over ideology or human rights promotion. His approach suggested a departure from traditional U.S. norms and a continuation of his "America First" ethos with updated global ambitions.

Controversies and optics

Trump’s Qatar stop was not without incident. During a military event featuring entertainment for U.S. and Qatari personnel, comedian Theo Von delivered a series of offensive jokes, drawing groans from the audience — particularly those targeting Arab dress and referencing Qatar’s anti-LGBTQ laws. Trump later thanked Von for attending and highlighted the comedian’s popular podcast, noting that his teenage son Barron had recommended it.

Trump also avoided any public reference to reports that he hoped to receive a Qatari luxury 747 jet as a gift to serve as a new Air Force One, a proposal widely criticized in Washington across party lines.

Final remarks and return to Washington

As he prepares to return to the U.S., Trump’s tour has made clear that his second-term foreign policy is guided as much by instinct and deal-making as by doctrine. His calls for peace, bold policy gambits, and signature unpredictability have reinforced both allies’ hopes and critics’ concerns about his global leadership style.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for further developments in U.S. foreign policy and the unfolding dynamics in the Middle East.