Trump seeks Qatar's intervention in convincing Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions
Raw and Real: The Trump's Middle East Diplomacy
During a sweltering Mideast sojourn, President Donald Trump pressed Qatar to lean on Iran to rein in its nuclear ambitions, demanding a diplomatic resolution instead of another regional conflict.
Get 'Em Talkin', Qatar!
At a state dinner hosted by Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Trump called on Qatar to use its influence over Iran to nudge the country into delaying its rapid nuclear advancements. He declared, "I hope you can help me with the Iran situation." Sounds tough, right? But this isn't a casual request - Iran's nuclear program has already surpassed the 2015 nuclear deal's agreed-upon 3.67% enrichment and boasts unprocessed uranium sufficient for multiple nuclear bombs.
Trump Wants Iran to Back Off from Proxy Wars
This appeal to Qatar follows Trump's address to the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he voiced a need for a deal with Iran, provided Tehran halts its funding of militant proxy groups across the Middle East. Sadly, diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Iran have stalled since President Trump scuttled the previous agreement in his first tenure.
Iran: The Calm Before the Storm?
Al Thani acknowledged the necessity of a nuclear-free Mideast, but with a twist: Iran retains the right to civilian nuclear power, moves that won't provoke anyone, and the issue should be settled diplomatically. Currently, Iran and the U.S. have indulged in four rounds of talks since early last month, and Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a deal, but time is running out.
Now or Never for a Nuclear Deal
Trump went on to warn Iran's leaders, stating, "Get moving" or risk a head-on conflict. He's no stranger to conflict - he's seen many spin out of control, and he's not about to let history repeat itself.
Trump Takes on Syria
During Trump's stop in Riyadh, he met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, marking the first face-to-face engagement with the former insurgent leader who spent years imprisoned by U.S. forces before being named president of Syria. The White House characterized the encounter as a brief "pull aside" that lasted nearly half an hour. Trump spoke highly of al-Sharaa, describing him as a 'young, attractive guy' with a 'strong past.'
A Changing of the Syrian Guard
The meeting came after encouragement from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The White House has also promised to lift sanctions on Syria, an earlier measure intended to cripple the economy. Al-Sharaa was once part of al-Qaida insurgents battling U.S. forces in Iraq but has since cut ties with the group and maintained his hold on Syria's government.
Nuclear Negotiations & Beyond
According to recent reports, the U.S. has presented a proposal to Iran for a nuclear deal outlining parameters for a civilian nuclear program and monitoring requirements. While the Iranians are willing to sign a deal allowing limited enrichment for civilian purposes, they seek to retain lower levels of enrichment, give up their stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, and submit to international inspectors for verification. Meanwhile, the E3 (France, U.K., Germany) is planning to meet with Iran to discuss compliance and could potentially trigger snapback sanctions if a substantial deal isn't reached by August.
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