GCC leaders seek de-escalation with Trump at UNGA summit

President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in New York on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, as the US-Israel war on Iran approaches seven months. The Gulf nations, whose oil and gas exports have been severely disrupted by the conflict, seek to convey their grave concerns about further US military strikes on Iran and push for a de-escalation based on a collapsed June memorandum of understanding. They also have divergent priorities, including Qatar's LNG shipments, UAE's pipeline exports, and Saudi Arabia's pressure from Houthi gains in Yemen. Trump faces domestic pressure over petrol prices ahead of midterm elections, and while he has threatened more military action, he remains sensitive to an escalation that could spike oil costs. Experts say a breakthrough is unlikely, with the best-case scenario being an agreement to return to negotiations, potentially brokered by Qatar or Pakistan.