Washington, Apr 23 (V7N) — U.S. President Donald Trump is set to embark on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East from May 13 to May 16, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, according to an announcement by White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt.

This will mark Trump's second foreign trip this year, following his planned attendance at Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican this weekend.

While details of the trip are still under wraps, it comes amid ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran and heightened geopolitical tensions in the region.

Trump’s first presidential foreign trip in 2017 also began with a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he emphasized trade, counterterrorism, and regional security. The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently pledged $600 billion in trade and investment with the U.S., setting the stage for potential economic and diplomatic discussions during the visit.

During a press briefing, Trump mentioned he had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where they reaffirmed their cooperation on issues including trade and the Iran nuclear issue.

The trip is expected to highlight strategic alliances, energy cooperation, and regional security partnerships, especially against the backdrop of Iran’s growing nuclear capabilities and conflict zones in the Middle East.

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