18 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : US President Donald Trump has said Washington will either reach an agreement with Iran that meets American expectations or make no deal at all, as he prepares for an expected meeting with leaders and foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Trump said Iran wants to reach an agreement with Washington but is “not ready” yet. His remarks came as the US administration considers the next phase of the conflict and a possible post-war strategy.
Trump Sets Conditions for Any Agreement
Trump said that any agreement with Tehran would have to be acceptable to the United States.
“We’re gonna either make a deal that’s good, or we’re not gonna make a deal at all,” he said, while maintaining that Iran wants negotiations but has not yet reached the point of accepting Washington’s conditions.
Expected GCC Meeting in New York
Trump is expected to meet representatives of the six GCC countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The six GCC members are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.
The proposed meeting is expected to discuss Washington’s plans for the next phase of the conflict and the future of the region.
Gulf States Caught in Regional Conflict
The expected talks come as Gulf countries hosting US military bases have faced attacks during the wider US-Iran confrontation.
The conflict has also disrupted oil and natural-gas exports, creating economic pressure across the region and raising concerns about energy markets.
Trump Says War Could Be Nearing Its End
Trump has indicated that Washington believes the conflict could be moving towards an end.
At the same time, his latest comments suggest that the United States is not prepared to accept an agreement simply to stop hostilities.
The administration is seeking a settlement that addresses its broader security and strategic objectives.
Iran Nuclear Issue Remains Central
Iran’s nuclear programme remains one of the key issues in the US-Iran confrontation.
Trump has repeatedly said Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, while Tehran has rejected US demands and maintained that its nuclear activities have legitimate purposes.
Any future agreement would therefore need to address the nuclear issue as well as wider security concerns.
Post-War Strategy Under Discussion
The expected GCC meeting could also provide an opportunity for Washington to discuss its vision for the region after the conflict.
Gulf governments have strong interests in regional security, protection of energy infrastructure and the safety of commercial shipping.
Their participation could therefore be important to any broader regional arrangement.
Diplomacy Under Pressure
Trump’s comments indicate that diplomatic engagement is continuing alongside military and economic pressure.
Iran’s willingness to negotiate, the conditions demanded by Washington and the positions of Gulf countries will all influence whether further talks can produce an agreement.
For now, no final deal has been announced.
Regional Stakes Remain High
The conflict has already affected energy markets, shipping routes and security calculations across the Middle East.
A durable agreement could potentially reduce those pressures, but significant differences remain between Washington and Tehran.
The expected GCC discussions will therefore be closely watched for indications of the next phase of US regional policy.