Iran must cut ties with proxy groups for nuclear deal, Trump insists

President Donald Trump, during a multi-country visit to the Middle East, declared on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, his strong desire to reach a deal with Iran to scale back its nuclear ambitions.

However, he emphasized that any agreement would require Tehran to halt its support for proxy groups operating across the region.

Trump addressed the issue during private discussions with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha.

There he reiterated cautious optimism that efforts to negotiate with Iran would succeed “one way or another.”

Earlier in the day, at a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit hosted in Riyadh by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump delivered a more forceful message.

He called on Iran to stop its sponsorship of militant groups.

He alsocalled on them to cease its involvement in regional conflicts and permanently abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.

He stated emphatically that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

While Al Thani did not specifically respond to Trump’s comments on Iran, he praised the strengthening of ties between Qatar and the U.S., saying their cooperation was reaching “another level.”

The meeting resulted in several agreements, including a significant $96 billion deal between Boeing and Qatar Airways.
The U.S. and Iran have conducted four rounds of nuclear talks since the previous month.

Trump remains hopeful that a breakthrough is achievable but warned that time is limited.

His renewed pressure comes at a moment when Iran’s regional proxy network, has suffered notable losses.

This network includes Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen,

Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the region has been increasingly volatile.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed Trump’s statements as “deceitful” but did not address the specific demands.

Meanwhile, Trump suggested the region may soon be free of Hezbollah’s influence.

According to him, this follows the group’s severe losses after last year’s conflict with Israel, which decimated its leadership.

Hezbollah also lost a key logistical partner when Syrian President Bashar Assad was deposed.

In a surprising development, Trump held a face-to-face meeting with Syria’s new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, at the end of his stay in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Sharaa, who once led the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), had been imprisoned by U.S. forces in Iraq before returning to Syria to lead a powerful anti-Assad coalition.

He took power in January following an offensive that toppled the Assad regime, ending its 54-year reign.

Trump said the meeting with al-Sharaa, which was suggested by both Prince Mohammed and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, went “great.”

He described al-Sharaa as a “young, attractive guy” with a “very strong past.”

He also suggested the new Syrian leader has a real chance at stabilizing the country.

Prince Mohammed attended the 33-minute meeting in person, while Erdogan joined virtually.

Al-Sharaa, previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, fought against U.S. forces in Iraq and was once affiliated with al-Qaida.

Though he faces an Iraqi arrest warrant for terrorism charges, he later distanced his group from al-Qaida and rebranded it as HTS.

Trump announced the U.S. would lift longstanding sanctions on Syria that had dated back to Assad’s rule and aimed to cripple the country’s economy.

In Qatar, Trump was warmly welcomed by Al Thani upon his arrival in Doha. As Air Force One approached, it was escorted by Qatari F-15 fighter jets.

At their official meeting in Amiri Diwan, Trump complimented the venue’s lavish marble and the ceremonial camels.

Al Thani expressed optimism about Trump’s diplomatic efforts and commended his commitment to peace in the region, later honoring him with a state dinner.
Trump’s next destination is the United Arab Emirates, the final leg of his Middle East tour.

Qatar, like other Gulf states, remains an autocracy with tight restrictions on speech and political activity.

Despite its strategic value as home to Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar has also been embroiled in multiple global scandals.

These include accusations of bribing officials to secure the 2022 FIFA World Cup and ongoing investigations in Israel and the EU over influence campaigns.

In 2024, RTX Corp. (formerly Raytheon) agreed to a $950 million settlement over bribery allegations involving Qatar.

Doha has denied all wrongdoing. Recently, Qatar reportedly offered the U.S. a luxury Boeing 747-8 as a temporary Air Force One.

Trump supported the idea, stating he would refurbish the plane and donate it to his presidential library after leaving office.

Critics argue such a gift from a foreign government could pose ethical concerns

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook