 "'Biggest deals ever': Trump tells Gulf investors Iran war is ending — and America is open for business")
US President Donald Trump has pitched Gulf investors an alternate reality that would ensue in the region after the Iran war ends.
Delivering his remarks at the Future Investment Initiative in Florida, Trump told assembled Gulf and global investors the region would see “the biggest deals ever made.”
Trump’s FII appearance served a dual purpose: reassuring Gulf states rattled by Iranian strikes on their energy infrastructure that the US remains committed to their security, and signalling to markets that a post-war reconstruction boom is coming.
The speech was closely watched for any new signals on Iran diplomacy; Trump repeated his claim that Iran is “begging” for a deal while simultaneously warning of intensified strikes if negotiations stall — the controlled ambiguity that has defined his Iran strategy throughout the conflict.
Gulf reviews investments
Gulf states are reviewing their overseas investments and future commitments as they consider options to ease the pressure on their budgets.
A Gulf official told the Financial Express the conflict that has engulfed the region could affect everything from investment pledges to foreign states or companies, sports sponsorships, contracts with businesses and investors, or sales of holdings, especially if the war and related expenses continue at the same pace.
For decades, the Gulf’s rise rested on two core assumptions: that its rapidly growing cities offered safe haven in an unstable region and that vast wealth from uninterrupted energy exports would keep flowing. Recent events have shaken both pillars at once.
‘War not over yet’
On the other hand, Trump said that the Iran war is “not finished yet.” “It’s not finished yet. I’m not saying, it’s sort of finished, but it’s not finished. It’s got to be finished,” he said.
The president said, on a separate occasion, that the US still has “another 3,554” targets left to hit in Iran, adding, “That’ll be done pretty quickly.”
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said Friday he believes Iran will hold talks with Washington “this week,” as President Donald Trump reiterated his claims that Tehran wants to make a deal.
Quick Reads
View All“We think there will be meetings this week, we’re certainly hopeful for it,” Witkoff told a business forum in Miami, where Trump is due to speak later, when asked about Iran negotiations.
“We have a 15-point plan on the table. We expect the Iranians to respond. It could solve it all,” Witkoff said.
With inputs from agencies
 "US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Rubio says US can meet Iran war goals without ground troops, campaign to end in weeks")
 "Nepal ex-PM Oli arrested over deadly Gen Z protest crackdown day after Balen Shah's oath")
 "'Bibi sold it as easy': Vance pushes back on Netanyahu’s Iran war claims in tense call, says report")
 "IPL 2026: How the Indian Premier League promises to be bigger and better in the 19th season")
 "US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Rubio says US can meet Iran war goals without ground troops, campaign to end in weeks")
 "Nepal ex-PM Oli arrested over deadly Gen Z protest crackdown day after Balen Shah's oath")
 "'Bibi sold it as easy': Vance pushes back on Netanyahu’s Iran war claims in tense call, says report")
 "IPL 2026: How the Indian Premier League promises to be bigger and better in the 19th season")
