U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet leaders from the six Gulf Cooperation Council states—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman—on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next Tuesday to discuss strategies for ending the ongoing war with Iran, according to Axios as reported by CNBC World [1]. The guest list may expand to include other Arab and Muslim leaders, with invitations sent by the State Department on Wednesday [1]. The meeting will focus on U.S. proposals for a postwar strategy, which are not expected to be finalized until after the U.S. midterm elections in November [1]. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed interest in meeting Trump in New York, but no meeting has been scheduled as of yet [1].
Trump stated on Wednesday that Iran has reached out directly to Washington and is seeking a deal, describing the war as nearing its end: 'They want to make a deal, and we'll see how that works out,' he told reporters in North Carolina [1]. Meanwhile, Gulf states are facing mounting economic costs due to the conflict. Saudi Arabia shut its East-West Pipeline after a drone attack caused damage, disrupting crude oil transport from the eastern coast to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea [1]. However, crude prices eased after Saudi Arabia arranged additional shipments through Oman's Sohar port via ship-to-ship transfers, alleviating fears of a prolonged supply gap. Brent crude settled at $105.8 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate dropped 0.22% to $102.14 [1].
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated calls for de-escalation, urging diplomacy and the restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz [1]. The specifics of Washington's postwar arrangement requirements for Gulf states or Iran remain unclear [1]. Analyst Michael Feller, chief strategist at Geopolitical Strategy, suggested that Iran may be open to negotiations after the U.S. midterms, but continued reluctance could prolong the conflict until late 2028 or beyond. He also noted that repairs to the East-West Pipeline could provide relief, though export-terminal stockpiles may run out unless repairs are completed [1].
CONCLUSION
President Trump's planned meeting with Gulf leaders at the UN highlights the urgency of resolving the Iran conflict, which has significantly impacted oil markets and regional economies. While diplomatic efforts are ongoing, the outcome remains uncertain, with analysts warning that delays in negotiations could extend the conflict and exacerbate economic disruptions. The market remains sensitive to developments, particularly regarding energy supply and diplomatic progress.