As it happened: Donald Trump's tour of the Middle East (2025)

Key points
  • Trump leaves the UAE as Middle East tour comes to an end
  • President jokes he's 'not thrilled' with 'drop of oil' gift
  • Schedule shows he'll return to US despite 'destination unknown' comments
  • Iran, Syria's new leader and VE Day: Trump's key remarks yesterday
Sky News analysis
  • Dominic Waghorn: Showman Trump won't care if tour seen as transactional
  • Mark Stone: Syrian leader's wild journey to meeting Trump
  • Alistair Bunkall: Trump's language 'mind-boggling' on Saudi trip
  • Tap hereto listen to The World wherever you enjoy podcasts

14:32:44

We're pausing our coverage

Thanks for following our coverage of Donald Trump's tour of the Middle East.

We're pausing our live updates for now. Before we return, here's a summary of the major talking points from his four-day trip:

  • Trump's visited the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia on the first foreign tour of his second presidency;
  • Surrounded by US business leaders and high-ranking members of his administration, Trump signed severalmultibillion-dollar agreements for US companies along the way;
  • They included a large order from Qatar for Boeing passenger jets and a $142bn arms deal with Saudi Arabia dubbed the "largest in history";
  • While business was undoubtedly the focus of the trip, it also yielded a remarkable political shift for the US on Syria, with Trump dropping all sanctions on the countryand meeting its president Ahmed al Sharaa on Wednesday;
  • He also suggested there had been progress in nuclear talks with Iran but decided not to travel to Turkey for Ukraine-Russia peace talks;
  • There was also no visit to Israel on the itinerary, while a senior Hamas official confirmed the militant group is in direct talks with the Trump administration over peace in Gaza;

Watch below: Trump wraps up Middle East tour

14:00:01

Air Force One to refuel in UK tonight

We showed you Donald Trump's schedule earlier (see 6.13 post) and it even includes a brief stop in the UK.

Air Force One is set to land at RAF Mildenhall at around 7.15pm to refuel.

It will leave at around 8.45pm and head for Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where Trump will then go on to the White House.

Trump also made the pit-stop on his way to the Middle East on Monday night, with Air Force One leaving an hour later.

13:34:01

Officials estimate Trump's military parade could cost up to $45m

We brought you comments from Donald Trump yesterday as he addressed US troops at an air base in Qatar.

He mentioned the recent military parades that have taken place in the West marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory against Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

"Everybody was celebrating but us, and we're the ones that won the war," he said.

Trump also vowed to hold a major military parade in the US, but officials have told Reuters that twin celebrations for the US president's birthday and the Army's 250th anniversary will cost up to $45m.

The US Army had been planning to move troops and equipment to the National Mall in Washington on 14 June, but plans now include a parade that coincides with Trump's 79th birthday.

The estimated cost also excludes the charges Washington would have to bear, like cleaning up rubbish and road repairs.

13:10:01

'They have to move quickly': Trump doubles down on Iran warning

Donald Trump has doubled down on his warning to Iran over a nuclear deal.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, the US president said Iran has his administration's proposal and knows it needs to move quickly.

"They have a proposal, more importantly, they know they have to move quickly or something bad, something bad is going to happen," he said.

It comes after he warned earlier that the situation will be done "nicely or not nicely" (see 9.37 post).

Trump claimed Iran had "sort of" agreed to the terms of a nuclear deal yesterday after reports that a top Tehran official said the country is prepared to make a number of concessions.

But Iran's president rejected what Trump had to say, describing him as "naive for thinking he can come to our region, threaten us, and hope that we back down against his demands".

12:43:01

Podcast: Is the Middle East Trump's comfort zone?

Donald Trump's Middle East tour has now wrapped up, and after signing more deals in Abu Dhabi, Sky's US correspondent Mark Stone is joined by lead world news presenter and co-host of The World, Yalda Hakim, to ask if transactional Trump is in his comfort zone when dealing with the region's leaders.

And, is the situation in Gaza just too complicated for Trump to grasp?

If you've got a question you'd like the Trump100 team to answer, you can email it to trump100@sky.uk.

Don't forget, you can also watch all episodes on our YouTube channel.

👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈

12:16:01

In pictures: Trump's final stop on Middle East tour

Before setting off, Donald Trump made the final stop on his tour of the Middle East.

He visited the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, which encompasses a mosque, church and synagogue.

11:53:01

Trump hails 'historic' Middle East tour and praises the 'great leaders' he's met

Donald Trump has been speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, and hailed an "historic" four days.

"The jobs and money coming into our country, there's never been anything like it," he said.

He joked with the reporters about the itinerary, saying "you also had great stamina... I think they were giving us a test".

But Trump was full of praise for what he's seen this week, adding "it's amazing what they have done in all three countries".

He said he can't speak more highly of the job they've done in a short period of time, and that the people he's met are "great people, great leaders".

The trip has marked a shift in tone for US foreign policy - with Trump not mentioning human rights concerns in the nations he's visited.

11:31:42

Wheels up... Trump's Middle East tour is over

It's wheels up for Air Force One, and with that, Donald Trump's tour of the Middle East is over.

He's been to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and is now heading back to Washington DC via a brief stop in the UK.

11:13:44

Trump boards Air Force One

It's a short walk out of a building at Abu Dhabi International Airport and into Air Force One for Donald Trump.

He turns to the cameras and gives one last pose before heading inside the plane.

11:03:59

Watch as Trump leaves Abu Dhabi

Donald Trump is about to leave Abu Dhabi on Air Force One, bringing his Middle East tour to a close.

He's behind schedule but confirmed earlier he's returning to the US - not heading to Turkey where Ukraine-Russia talks are taking place.

You can watch his departure via the live YouTube stream below.

As it happened: Donald Trump's tour of the Middle East (2025)

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