Donald Trump has said he wants the United States to “take” Gaza and turn it into a “freedom zone” while speaking at a business event in Qatar.
The president has also warned that the U.S. could be forced to take a “violent course” with Iran if the friendly course of action does not work.
Speaking during his three-nation tour of the Middle East, the president said Iran has to make a decision as the two countries continue to negotiate the potential lifting of American sanctions if Iran abandons its nuclear development program.
“The non-friendly is a violent course and I don’t want that… They have to get moving. They have to make that decision,” he said.
Meanwhile, Trump praised the Syrian president as a “young, attractive guy” after the first meeting between the nations’ leaders in 25 years — a meeting which followed his surprise announcement that the U.S. would lift all sanctions on the country.
On the last leg of his tour, Trump is in the United Arab Emirates for talks on artificial intelligence.
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Key Points
- Trump’s birthright citizenship case heads to the Supreme Court
- Trump says he doesn't expect progress in Russia-Ukraine talks until he meets Putin
- Trump wants to turn Gaza into a "freedom zone"
- Trump says he'll 'have to think about' fourth election
- Trump claims India has offered U.S. a 'basically zero tariff' deal
Our live coverage has ended. Here’s a full breakdown:
19:05
,
Gustaf Kilander
Trump arrived in the UAE on Thursday, where he visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and took part in a state visit with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Qasr Al Watan palace.
That came after Trump said that he doesn’t expect to see any progress in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end the war until he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Nothing is going to happen until Putin and I get together,” Trump said to reporters on Air Force One.
The UAE presidential palace, which Trump visited, is a huge complex surrounded by palm trees, gardens, and fountains.
Trump and the UAE president greeted delegations in a decorated hall with marble floors and chandeliers.
Trump then moved on to take in a space exhibition alongside Steve Witkoff, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, and other U.S. officials.
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sat down with Trump on Thursday afternoon Eastern time.
“Mr. President, for over 50 years, the UAE and the United States have shared a multi-dimensional strategic partnership and a long-standing friendship grounded in a shared commitment to advancing prosperity and stability in our countries, the region, and the world,” he said. “Over the decades, the UAE has been a trusted partner of the United States, both in terms of bilateral relations and in matters of shared concern.”
“What a lot of people don't know, I think my staff is very surprised by it, you and I have been friends for a long time,” said Trump. “We've been good friends, and what they don't know about you is that you are considered a truly great warrior.”
Trump concluded his remarks by inviting the UAE president to the White House.
“Let me have one month of fixing up the Oval Office, in other words, getting things ready,” said Trump. “And I look forward to having you and the White House, we will celebrate together, but we are going to be your friend, and we're going to be your partner, and we really appreciate your confidence and an investment that's your biggest investment that you've ever made.”
Following Trump’s remarks, the UAE president awarded Trump the Order of Zayed, the highest civil decoration in the country.
As he signed a guestbook, Trump said he was “probably” heading back to Washington, D.C. on Friday. But he also said it could be a case of “destination unknown.”
Later in the evening, Trump attended a banquet dinner.
Trump marvels at wealth of his Arab hosts while he eyes White House and Air Force One upgrades
Wednesday 14 May 2025 19:40
,
Gustaf Kilander
Donald Trump is the most powerful and famous person on the planet, at the helm of the biggest economy and the strongest military.
But on his trip to the Middle East this week, the American president is sounding more than a little envious of his Arab hosts.
He admired the marble in the Qatari palace as “perfecto” and “very hard to buy.” He praised the “gleaming marvels” of the skyline in Saudi Arabia. And he groused about the “much smaller” and “much less impressive” plane that is Air Force One.
Chris Megerian and Zeke Miller report:
Trump administration ends protections for Afghans in US by citing tourism under Taliban rule
Wednesday 14 May 2025 20:00
,
Gustaf Kilander
Donald Trump’s administration is pointing to an increase in tourism under Taliban-controlled Afghanistan to justify the cancellation of humanitarian protections for more than 11,000 Afghans in the United States.
On Monday, the administration announced plans to strip temporary legal status to roughly 11,700 Afghans who fled the country following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, which led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people in the wake of the devastating years-long war.
Read more from Alex Woodward:
Marjorie Taylor Greene joins calls for Derek Chauvin to be pardoned
Wednesday 14 May 2025 20:20
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has called on President Donald Trump to issue a federal pardon to Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer convicted over the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.
“I strongly support Derek Chauvin being pardoned and released from prison,” the MAGA congresswoman posted on X on Wednesday, adding her voice to a growing MAGA push for his release. “George Floyd died of a drug overdose.”
Read more from Joe Sommerlad:
‘He’s playing a trick’: Sceptical Ukraine tries to beat Putin at his own game in peace talks
Wednesday 14 May 2025 20:40
,
Bel Trew
With only a few hours to go until the start of what was slated as the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in years - talks that Vladimir Putin himself called - it still wasn’t clear if the Russian president would actually show up.
For weeks he has dismissed Ukraine’s proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire - backed by the US and Europe - to allow both sides to start negotiations on how to end Europe’s biggest war since World War Two.
Instead, the Russian leader challenged Volodymyr Zelensky to direct talks in Istanbul “without any preconditions” on Thursday. If they go ahead, it would be the first meeting between the leaders since December 2019.
After brief initial reticence - and a few goading social media posts by Donald Trump - the Ukrainian leader called Moscow’s bluff by confirming that he will indeed attend in person.
Read more:
Trump says 'non-friendly' course for Iran is 'violent'
Wednesday 14 May 2025 20:41
,
Gustaf Kilander
During the remarks at the state dinner, Trump made some comments regarding Iran.
“The non-friendly is a violent course and I don’t want that… They have to get moving. They have to make that decision. It’s their decision,” said the president.
Trump has previously said he wants a deal with Iran to stop it from getting a nuclear weapon.
He appealed to Qatar for help.
“I hope you can help me with the Iran situation,” he said. “It’s a perilous situation, and we want to do the right thing. We want to do ... something that's going to save maybe millions of lives. Because things like that get started, and they get out of control. I've seen it over and over again. They go to war, and things get out of control, and we're not going to let that happen.”
The Emir spoke about making massive investments in the U.S., he mentioned Qatar’s trade deficit, and said the country likes “drill baby drill,” a phrase Trump has used as a campaign slogan.
“Our newly announced projects and investments will amount to $1.2 trillion, and these days, I'm so grateful for the trade deficit we have with you, because the surplus swings in your favor. That's also why Scott Bessent is chill,” he said.
“I prayed for your recovery and your safety,” the Emir said regarding the assassination attempt against Trump last summer.
He also requested that Trump use American “leverage” to end the fighting in Gaza.
He commended Trump for picking staff who are “loyal to your country and loyal to your cause.”
“For all of us in the room, this stop was no mystery,” he said. “Yes, the United States is a superpower, boasting the largest economy and military force in history. Meanwhile, Qatar is one of the smallest countries with one of the smallest populations, and as the Americans in the room know, D.C. is almost 7000 miles away from here, but my friends, small nations have their own superpowers, resilience, nimbleness — and we are a powerful agent for peace precisely because of our size.”
“This is a home. This is a serious home,” Trump said of the palace.
“It’s just a perfect evening,” he added.
“Your country now stands as a hub [of] global commerce, acts as a key diplomatic force on the world stage, and has even hosted the World Cup. People said, Oh, the World Cup,” Trump said.
“He’s coming to the United States. Great job you do Gianni,” the president said of the FIFA president.
Wednesday 14 May 2025 20:50
,
Gustaf Kilander
Our live coverage has ended. Here's a full breakdown:
WATCH: Trump welcomed by parade of red Cybertrucks and camels during Qatar visit
Wednesday 14 May 2025 21:00
,
Gustaf Kilander
‘He’s a hero’: Syrians praise Trump after removal of decades-old sanctions regime
Wednesday 14 May 2025 21:20
,
Richard Hall
Donald Trump may be facing historically low approval levels at home, but in Syria at least, his popularity is surging.
Celebrations broke out in Damascus and other towns across Syria on Tuesday after Trump announced that he would remove decades-old U.S. sanctions on the country.
With a stroke of his pen, the president delivered a lifeline to a country decimated by years of war, opening the long-isolated economy to the global market.
Read more:
Donald Trump praises ‘young, attractive’ ex-terrorist Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa
Wednesday 14 May 2025 21:40
,
Alastair Jamieson
Donald Trump shook hands with Syria’s Islamist ruler on Wednesday – the first encounter between the two nations' leaders in 25 years and a potential turning point for Damascus as it struggles to emerge from decades of international isolation.
The US president warmly greeted former al-Qaeda fighter Ahmed al-Sharaa in a historic meeting unthinkable only a few months ago.
Read more:
Trump warns of possible 'violent course' with Iran ahead of UAE visit
07:30
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump has warned the U.S. could be forced to take a “violent course” with Iran if the friendly course of action does not work.
Speaking in Qatar during his three-nation tour of the Middle East, the president said Iran has to make a decision as the two countries continue to negotiate the potential lifting of American sanctions if Iran abandons its nuclear development program.
“The non-friendly is a violent course and I don’t want that… They have to get moving. They have to make that decision,” he said.
The president also appealed to Qatar for help.
“I hope you can help me with the Iran situation,” he said.
“It’s a perilous situation, and we want to do the right thing. We want to do it something that's going to save maybe millions of lives. Because things like that get started and they get out of control. I've seen it over and over again. They go to war and things get out of control, and we're not going to let that happen.”
Trump to visit military base used by U.S. during Iran and Afghanistan wars
07:45
,
Rachel Clun
The president will visit a Qatari air base which had been used as a major staging ground during the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as he continues his tour of gulf nations on Thursday.
Trump plans to address troops at the al-Udeid Air Base, which was also used to support the recent U.S. air strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
The Qatari base houses some 8,000 U.S. troops, down from about 10,000 at the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Before visiting the base, Trump will attend a business roundtable which will include executives from Boeing, GE Aerospace and Al Rabban Capital.
Later on Thursday, the president will travel to the United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi, where he will visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and be honored with a state visit with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Qasr Al Watan palace.
Trump says U.S. has to give Syria 'a chance'
07:50
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump said the U.S. has to give Syria “a chance”, following his surprise announcement he would be lifting long-standing sanctions on the country.
Speaking at a business summit in Qatar, Trump again praised intermin Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa.
“He's a strong guy, and I thought he was good, and let's see what happens,” the president said.
“But we're going to give [them] a fighting chance by taking off the sanctions. We've actually been praised for that.”
President praises business people
08:03
,
Rachel Clun
Speaking ahead of a business roundtable in Doha, Donald Trump has praised the business leaders.
“We're surrounded by some of the greatest business people in the world. We just had a tremendous order of Boeing,” he said, referring to the $200 billion deal signed on Wednesday.
In that deal Qatar Airways will by some 160 aircraft from the U.S. manufacturer, which Trump claimed was one of the company’s largest orders in its history.
Trump then joked about changing the engines in his plane to GE Aerospace ones.
“General Electric, I hear, makes the best large aeroplane engine in the world by not even a contest. Maybe I can change my engines one day of my plane,” he said.
Trump says U.S. negotiating with Iran for long-term peace
08:21
,
Rachel Clun, Reuters
Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in “very serious” negotiations with Iran for a long-term peace.
The president said America was getting very close to securing a nuclear deal with Iran, and Tehran had "sort of" agreed to the terms of an agreement.
"We're in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace," Trump said on a tour of the Gulf, according to a pool report by AFP.
Watch live: Trump speaks during business summit
08:22
,
Rachel Clun
Trump claims India has offered U.S. a 'basically zero tariff' deal
08:40
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump claimed at the business summit in Doha that India offered the U.S. a “basically zero tariff” deal.
At the start of April the president announced high “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries, including India.
During that announcement, Trump said India would face a “discounted” 26 percent tariff rate, and accused India of having “very very high tariffs” with an average duty on American goods of 52 percent.
Speaking on Thursday, Trump said: “"It's very hard to sell into India and and they've offered us a deal with what basically they're willing to literally charge us no tariff.”
Watch: Trump boasts about changing engines on new luxury jet after striking Qatar Boeing dea
09:01
,
Rachel Clun
Trump wants to turn Gaza into a "freedom zone"
09:26
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump said he wants the United States to “take” Gaza and turn it into a “freedom zone”.
His comments at a Qatari business summit come as the Israel-Hamas war rages on in the Palestinian territory.
“Well, we're working very hard on Gaza, and Gaza has been a territory of death and destruction for many,” he said.
“I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good, make it a freedom zone, let the United States get involved and make it just a freedom zone,” he said, as reports Agence France-Presse reports.
“I’d be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone.”
Violence continues as Trump calls for Gaza ‘freedom zone’
09:38
,
AP, Reuters
Donald Trump’s comments have come amid ongoing strikes in Gaza.
A hospital in southern Gaza says 54 people have been killed in overnight airstrikes on the city of Khan Younis.
An Associated Press cameraman in Khan Younis counted 10 airstrikes on the city overnight into Thursday, and saw numerous bodies taken to the morgue in the city's Nasser Hospital. Some bodies arrived in pieces, with some body bags containing the remains of multiple people. The hospital's morgue confirmed 54 people had been killed.
It was the second night of heavy bombing, after airstrikes Wednesday on northern and southern Gaza killed at least 70 people, including almost two dozen children.
In the occupied West Bank, a heavily pregnant Israeli woman was also killed in a shooting on Wednesday.
The attack, coming amid one of the largest Israeli military operations in the West Bank in two decades, drew angry reactions from Israeli politicians who said the nearby Palestinian towns of Bruqin and az-Zawiya should be destroyed like cities in Gaza.
In pictures: Trump attends business summit in Qatar
09:57
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump has attended a business summit in Doha, flanked by leading American business leaders.
Next, he will tour a Qatari Air Base long used by American forces, where he is expected to address troops.
Military base awaits visit from Trump
10:12
,
Rachel Clun, Associated Press
Military personnel have been sitting and patiently waiting at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar for an appearance from president Donald Trump.
The base is the forward headquarters of the U.S. military's Central Command. A Qatari and American flag flanked a large banner reading: "PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH."A Qatari F-15 and an MQ-9 Reaper drone sat to the side of the stage.
Before Trump’s appearance, service members listened to Theo Von, an American comedian, do a stand-up set that included making jokes about Qatar's national dress for men, the white thobe, and everyone being named Mohammed.
"It's like a Ku Klux sandsman," he said.
He later made a joke about the U.S. Navy: "I'm not going to fly across the whole world just to be gay. I'm not in the Navy."
And another punch line included: "Where do you think the next 9/11 should happen?"
Watch live: Trump addresses troops in Middle East
10:29
,
Rachel Clun
Hegseth thanks troops
10:31
,
Rachel Clun
Secretary of defense Pete Hegseth is speaking, ahead of comments from the president.
“It’s an absolute honour it is to be here amongst America's best, alongside our allies,” he said.
“I want to thank you for your willingness to take the prime of your life, to raise your right hand, to defend our Constitution and our great nation.”
Hegseth says the Department of Defense 'restoring the warrior ethos'
10:34
,
Rachel Clun
Pete Hegseth says the Department of Defense is “restoring the warrior ethos” in the American military.
“No more political correctness, gender pronouns, DEI ... or climate change. We're in the business of war,” he said.
Hegseth claimed military recruitment has skyrocketed across the country.
“We will have the best ships, the best subs, the best planes, the best fighters, the best drones, missiles, air defence, space defence, border security, Golden Dome, you name it, America will be stronger than ever before under our Commander in Chief, Donald Trump, he is committed to that.”
'What a beautiful group of people': Trump greets troops
10:40
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump has begun addressing troops at the air base in Qatar.
“What a beautiful group of people,” he said.
“So I'm thrilled to be here with the men and women who embody American strength and pride, the warriors of the United States Armed Forces. It's an amazing group of people,” he continued to cheers from the crowd.
“You are, without a doubt, the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. That's the way it is.”
Trump praises his country entrance song
10:47
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump claims he’s made country music star Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the U.S.A.” number one.
“You know, that song is a successful song, but we made it the most number one. We made that song. It's the top of the list of that type of song,” he said.
U.S. and Qatar signed $42bn deal for military hardware
10:48
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump says the U.S. and Qatar have signed a defense arms deal worth $42 billion.
“Yesterday, we signed an agreement for Qatar to purchase $42 billion worth of the finest American military hardware,” he said.
Trump said the deal includes refuelling aircraft, desert vipers, Light Armoured vehicles, amphibious combat vehicles, and drones.
Trump says his priority is ending conflicts, not starting them
10:53
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump says his priority is ending conflict not starting them, but warned he would not hesitate to use force if required.
“As President, my priority is to end conflicts, not start them, but I will never hesitate to wield American power if it's necessary to defend the United States of America or our partners,” he said.
“When we're threatened America's military will answer our enemies without even thinking about it we have overwhelming strength and devastating force.”
Trump complains about U.S. not celebrating VE Day
10:57
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump is now complaining that the U.S. did not celebrate the end of WWII earlier this month.
“Russia was celebrating, France was celebrating, everybody was celebrating, but us, and we're the ones that won the war,” he said.
“I said, ‘What the hell, every country I've spoken to in the last week is celebrating the war, but [not] us,’ isn't that terrible?”
May 8 is VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marking Germany’s official surrender. However, America did not stop fighting on that day.
The war in the Pacific did not end until September 2, when Japan formally surrendered to the U.S.
Trump says he'll 'have to think about' fourth election
10:59
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump has suggested he may try to run again for the presidency.
“And some people want us to do a fourth, I don't know. Have to think about that,” he said.
The second election was 2020, which he has refused to concede that he lost. His third was the most recent, which he did win.
Presidents are limited to two terms in office.
President claims U.S. military recruitment has boomed
11:02
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump claimed military recruitment has boomed under his administration.
“Our military suddenly has the best recruiting numbers that perhaps they've ever had, but certainly in 30 years, think of that,” he said.
“You go back six months ago, we couldn't get people to join the military. Nobody wanted your job. Now, everybody wants your job.”
He continued: “Now in our country, we have a whole new spirit, and it began on a date, November 5, that was election day under the Trump administration, America is back, and America's military is back, bigger, better and stronger than ever before.”
In pictures: Trump addresses troops in Qatar
11:13
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump has been speaking to U.S. military personnel in Qatar, on day three of his Middle East tour.
Trump claims he 'sure as hell' helped with India, Pakistan ceasefire
11:21
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump has claimed he helped broker the ceasefire between Pakistan and India.
“I sure as hell helped settle the problem between Pakistan and India last week, which was getting more and more hostile, and all of a sudden you saw missiles of a different type, and we got it settled,” he said.
“I hope I don't walk out of here and two days later find out that it's not settled, but I think it is settled.
He continued: “And we talked to them about trade, let's do trade instead of do war. And Pakistan was very happy with that. India was very happy with that. And I think they're on the way.”
Trump says America will 'win, win, win'
11:26
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump has continued praising America’s armed forces.
“The military is incredible, and we won our independence, we preserved our union, protected our way of life, defeated fascism, crushed terrorism, liberated millions and millions of people from bondage and brought communism to its knees,” he said.
“It's what we did, and now we're going to defend America from all enemies, overcome all obstacles and dangers, and as one nation, we're going to build a future of peace and prosperity for generations to come.
He continued, to applause: “Together, we will stand strong. We will stand proud, we will live free and we will fight, fight, fight and win, win, win.”
Trump finishes address saying America is a 'great country'
11:31
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump has concluded his address to troops in Qatar, saying that America was a “great country”.
“We have a proud country. We have a country that's respected all over the world,” he said.
“And as I said before, a year ago, we were laughed at, but nobody's laughing at our country anymore. We're the most respected country. anywhere in the world, and thank you very much and enjoy your lives, and God bless America.”
The president is now due to travel to the United Arab Emirates.