RIYADH: Riyadh will serve as the opening stop on President Trump’s Gulf tour, which also includes visits to Doha and Abu Dhabi for bilateral meetings with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed. The visit, confirmed by diplomatic sources, is expected to be “dollar-deal-focused,” with possible investment announcements from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

The summit’s agenda comes at a critical time, as the region grapples with escalating tensions in Gaza and ongoing efforts to revive the Abraham Accords. US President Donald Trump, who cultivated close ties with Gulf leaders during his first term, is looking to deepen financial cooperation and secure Gulf support for US positions on flashpoints like the Israel-Hamas war.

Discussions on Gaza will take center stage. After a ceasefire President Trump previously championed collapsed, the US has floated a new proposal: Israel would secure humanitarian corridors but not control aid distribution.

However, the plan has been met with skepticism, with critics accusing the US of sidelining established aid agencies like the UN. Huckabee urged international players to join the initiative, expressing hope for swift implementation.

The summit is set to take place just days after a fourth round of indirect nuclear talks between the US and Iran in Oman, with regional dynamics evolving rapidly.