Overview

• President Trump is visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE from May 13 to 15, aiming to secure significant Gulf investments and finalize trade and arms deals worth billions of dollars.
• The trip coincides with ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, which have completed four rounds, sparking concerns in Israel over potential compromises in U.S. policy toward Tehran.
• Trump announced a U.S.-Houthi ceasefire after the Yemeni group agreed to halt attacks on American ships, a move seen as easing tensions ahead of the Gulf visit but raising Israeli objections.
• Israel is excluded from Trump’s itinerary, heightening tensions with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has criticized U.S. engagement with Iran and the Houthis as undermining Israeli security interests.
• Saudi Arabia and the UAE have pledged hundreds of billions in U.S. investments, with Trump also expected to explore a U.S.-Saudi security alliance and Gulf access to advanced U.S. technologies.