Trump is behind every crime in the region, Iran’s president says

US President Donald Trump’s high-profile tour of the Persian Gulf has placed unprecedented diplomatic and symbolic pressure on Iran, exposing deep contrasts between the Islamic Republic and its southern neighbors, analyst Morad Veisi said.

While US policies have long strained Tehran, the latest visit—marked by lavish welcomes, multibillion-dollar tech and defense deals, and promises of AI-driven futures—delivered a “deeper and more dangerous” blow to Iran’s leadership than military threats, Veisi argued.

He added that the tour, highlighting development, prosperity, and future-oriented visions in the Persian Gulf nations, undermined Iran's attempts to portray them as solely oil-dependent economies.

“The Islamic Republic finds itself in a defensive and weakened position,” he said, pointing to the powerful contrast in media portrayals of progress in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, compared to Iran’s deepening infrastructure, economic, and social crises.

The trip also triggered painful comparisons among ordinary Iranians. “People are now asking: if not for the Islamic Republic, could Iran have kept pace—or even surpassed—its neighbors?” Veisi added.

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US President Donald Trump visited al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Thursday, a critical military installation that has served as a major staging ground for US operations in the Middle East, including recent air strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The base currently houses approximately 8,000 personnel, down from around 10,000 troops during the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

He added that Qatar will invest $10 billion in coming years in the base, southwest of the country's capital Doha.

Days before a surprise US ceasefire agreement with Houthis earlier in the month, US intelligence started picking up indications the Yemeni fighters were looking for an exit after seven weeks of relentless US bombings, Reuters reported citing four American officials.

Houthi leaders began reaching out sometime around the first weekend in May to US allies in the Middle East, two of the officials said.

"We started getting intel that the Houthis had had enough," one of the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity to recount the internal discussions about the intelligence.

Two sources said Iran played an important role in encouraging the Houthis to negotiate, as Tehran pursues its own talks aimed at ending US sanctions and preventing a military strike by the US or Israel.

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Iran has no intention of halting its nuclear program, the foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday, according to Iranian media.

Speaking to reporters at Tehran’s book fair, the Esmail Baghaei emphasized that stopping the nuclear program is not on the agenda, adding that Iran has learned from past "bitter experiences" and knows where to take necessary measures.

He described recent negotiations as useful.

Brent crude futures dropped as much as 3.7% to $63.68 a barrel in early trade before paring losses to $63.98. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 3.3% to $61.05.

The sell-off followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said Washington was in "very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace" during his tour of the Persian Gulf, adding that Tehran had "sort of" agreed to US terms for a possible deal.

Traders view a possible agreement as a step toward easing sanctions on Iran, which could pave the way for the return of Iranian oil exports to global markets.

Adding to the downward pressure, data released late Wednesday showed an unexpected build in US crude inventories last week, fueling concerns about oversupply.

"The market is reacting to both the political developments and the inventory surprise," said a trader at a London-based commodities firm. "Any indication that Iranian barrels could re-enter the market weighs on prices."

Earlier this week, markets rallied on a US-China trade truce and a flurry of investment deals unveiled during Trump's visit to the Middle East.

Still, oil markets remain volatile as investors weigh the potential timing and terms of any US-Iran agreement, along with broader macroeconomic risks.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday praised the Emir of Qatar for his role in efforts to avoid military conflict with Iran and encourage a diplomatic solution.

“Iran is very lucky to have the emir because he's actually fighting for them,” Trump told reporters. “He doesn't want us to do a vicious blow to Iran. He says you can make a deal, you can make a deal. He's really fighting, and I really mean this.”

Trump said Emir of Qatar has been urging restraint during sensitive nuclear negotiations. “I think that Iran should say a big thank you to the emir because the emir is fighting very much that we don't,” he said.

“There are many people that want me to go the other route,” Trump added. “They say just knock it out because nobody can beat us. We have the strongest military in the world by far.”

US President Donald Trump on Thursday praised the Emir of Qatar for his role in efforts to avoid military conflict with Iran and encourage a diplomatic solution.

“Iran is very lucky to have the emir because he's actually fighting for them,” Trump told reporters. “He doesn't want us to do a vicious blow to Iran. He says you can make a deal, you can make a deal. He's really fighting, and I really mean this.”

Trump said Emir of Qatar has been urging restraint during sensitive nuclear negotiations. “I think that Iran should say a big thank you to the emir because the emir is fighting very much that we don't,” he said.

“There are many people that want me to go the other route,” Trump added. “They say just knock it out because nobody can beat us. We have the strongest military in the world by far.”

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