Riyadh — United States President Donald Trump told Gulf leaders on Wednesday that he urgently wants "to make a deal" with Iran to wind down its nuclear program. "Tehran must end its support of proxy groups throughout the region as part of any potential agreement," he said while addressing the US-Gulf Summit in Riyadh on Wednesday. The summit was co-chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Trump. In his opening speech, the Crown Prince reaffirmed the Gulf states' strong partnership with the United States. Iran "must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars, and permanently and verifiably cease pursuit of nuclear weapons. They cannot have a nuclear weapon," he said. The US and Iran have engaged in four rounds of talks since early last month, focused on Iran's nuclear program. Trump has repeatedly said he believes brokering a deal is possible, but that the window is closing. He urged Iran to cease support of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Trump said that he believed the moment was ripe for a future free from the grip of Hezbollah terrorists. Trump urged Iran to take a "new and a better path" as he pushes Tehran for a new nuclear deal. Co-chairing the U.S.-Saudi-US Investment Forum on Tuesday, Trump said that he wants to avoid conflict with Tehran but warned that time is running out as Iran makes rapid progress with its nuclear program. "As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be profound," Trump said. But he added, "If Iran's leadership rejects this olive branch ... we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure, drive Iranian oil exports to zero." Trump said at the summit that lifting sanctions on Syria will grant the country a fresh start, a day after a surprise announcement from Trump that US would lift all sanctions on Syria.
