U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to visit the Gulf in May, with Saudi Arabia at the top of the itinerary. The announcement came overnight (Tuesday to Wednesday), after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared that Trump fully supports Israel and sent a stern warning to Hamas: “Get all the hostages out – or there will be hell to pay”
The statement also emphasized that the President remains committed to preserving Israel’s security advantage, and may back an expansion of joint military exercises aimed at countering regional threats.
Pushing for Regional Agreements
Administration officials stated that the planned Saudi visit is intended to advance regional initiatives, including a potential normalization agreement between Israel and the Saudi Kingdom. However, Saudi officials continue to insist that progress on the Palestinian issue is a prerequisite for any such deal.
Simultaneously, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of additional military forces to the Middle East, including more fighter jets. “This is just the beginning. The real pain is yet to come—for the Houthis and their Iranian sponsors,” Trump was quoted as saying in a clear warning to the Tehran-backed militia.
Expanded security assistance to Gulf states, alongside tighter ties with Israel, could help stabilize the region ahead of summer. According to diplomatic sources, the White House has not ruled out a possible brief stop in Israel, depending on the progress of talks with Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to mediate ceasefire efforts in Gaza and negotiations for the return of hostages, with the goal of improving the humanitarian situation in the area. A senior official said the visit aims to project strong American leadership and reinforce strategic partnerships throughout the region. Optimism is reportedly high at the White House.
