Middle East leaders gather at UN as regional wars dominate agenda

Middle East leaders are gathering at the UN General Assembly in New York as regional wars continue, with conflicts involving Iran, Yemen, Gaza, and Lebanon topping the agenda. President Donald Trump is set to meet Gulf Arab leaders but not Israel's prime minister. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the U.S. of trying to force surrender and expressed wariness of talks after attacks during negotiations. The Gulf Cooperation Council called on Iran to halt attacks on shipping, while Israeli PM Netanyahu's brief New York trip avoids a Trump meeting amid a deteriorating relationship. In Yemen, airstrikes killed seven in a Houthi-held port city, and foreign ministers urged Iran to stop supporting the Houthis. U.S. and Iraqi officials discussed disarming militias, though Iran-backed groups have refused to surrender arms.