Trump Meets 12 Arab States at UN, Showcasing Diplomacy Amid Iran War Strains

3 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Sep 23

Trump gathered leaders and officials from 12 Arab states plus Turkey on the UN sidelines, using the session to underline continued US-Arab alignment despite regional strains since the February war.
A recent US-Iran meeting was described by Trump as productive, reinforcing his effort to present personal, leader-to-leader diplomacy as a path toward de-escalation and renewed regional influence.
Jordan's King Abdullah II used the moment to warn about West Bank violence and Israeli actions in Syria, reflecting wider Arab unease over Israel even among states that share concerns about Iran and militias.
The administration is pairing that diplomacy with security ties, including possible F-35 sales to Saudi Arabia and even Turkey, moves that could deepen US leverage but also sharpen Israeli concerns.
Trump's outreach to Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey fits a broader doctrine that relies on direct relationships to manage overlapping conflicts, from Houthi threats to instability in southern Syria.