Trump Plans UN Summit on Iran, Palestinian Leader Denied US Visa

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his belief that Iran "very much wants a deal" to end the ongoing conflict, which has lasted over six months. Simultaneously, Axios reported that Trump is planning to convene a meeting with leaders from Gulf states next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss the war and post-conflict plans. Trump, speaking at a campaign event in North Carolina ahead of the November midterm elections, expressed hope that the war with Iran is "nearing the end." He stated, "They want to make a deal, we'll see how it works out. Iran very much wants to make a deal." When asked if he had heard from the Iranians recently, directly or through intermediaries, he confirmed, "Yes, we heard directly."

At the campaign event, Trump further addressed the conflict, telling attendees, "Wait until you see what happens with Iran. It will be a very, very good end. And it will happen a little after the elections, maybe not, maybe before the elections." This follows a pattern of Trump suggesting the conflict's resolution would occur around the midterm elections.

According to Axios, citing three sources with direct knowledge, the planned meeting will focus on "post-war ideas" as the President and his team prepare a day-after strategy. The report indicates Trump will meet with leaders or foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. The U.S. State Department has reportedly sent invitations for the gathering, which could potentially expand to include other Arab and Muslim leaders.

In parallel, the U.S. announced it would extend visa sanctions against senior Palestinian Authority and PLO officials, citing their continued failure to meet commitments to Washington. This announcement coincided with the denial of a visa request for Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, preventing him from traveling to New York for his address at the UN General Assembly. This marks the second consecutive year Abbas has been denied entry, as the U.S. also refused him a visa in 2025, forcing him to deliver his speech via video.

The State Department's official statement did not explicitly name Abbas, but a U.S. official confirmed to AFP that the sanctions include him. Reuters noted that the 193 members of the General Assembly would vote on allowing Abbas to deliver a recorded statement, a procedure similar to last year. The State Department cited the PA and PLO's actions, including pursuing measures against Israel in international courts, seeking unilateral state recognition, and continuing payments to "terrorists" and glorifying them in official statements and schools, as reasons for the sanctions. Washington also mentioned the PA's "failure to implement reforms contrary to commitments made to the U.S." and "ongoing actions undermining the prospects for peace." The existing exemption for the Palestinian Permanent Observer Mission to the UN will remain in effect. Reports from last month indicated Abbas had appealed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to intervene with President Trump, but the administration reportedly remained firm in its decision.