The Trump administration is seeking a way to end the Iran war, which has been ongoing for nearly seven months. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have so far been fruitless, and this conflict has expanded into key maritime transport routes.
Expansion of the War to Yemen and New Threats
In September, Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen seized key positions along the Yemeni coast and created threats against Red Sea trade routes, attacking Saudi targets. These actions have added to the global energy crisis caused by the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Pressure on Trump Before Midterm Elections
The Saudi government has also accused Iranian-backed militants in Iraq of blowing up the vital East-West oil pipeline. According to reports, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Donald Trump, the President of the United States, on Sunday and urged him to intervene to stop the rapid advance of the Houthis.
Trump had previously considered airstrikes against the Houthis but later shelved the plan. He also responded negatively to Saudi requests for an attack on the Houthis. With fuel prices at a peak, Trump is under pressure to deliver tangible results from the Iran war.
Dialogue with China and Iran
Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington this week. China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil and an important political partner for Tehran. Trump will likely discuss China's economic and financial relations with Iran and hopes that Beijing will exert influence over Tehran.
At the same time, Trump has indicated he is open to meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who is visiting New York. Representatives from Gulf countries are also expected to come to the U.S. soon.
Despite the lack of a common agreement between Iran and its Arab neighbors in the Gulf, there is a shared interest in preventing further military escalation. Gulf countries know they would not succeed in a direct military conflict with Iran and are generally seeking to reduce tensions and facilitate relations with Tehran.
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