Daijiworld Media Network- Washington

Washington, Jul 17: Amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday hosted two prominent Gulf leaders at the White House, reaffirming diplomatic and economic ties with key allies in the region.

Trump first held talks with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who announced a $17 billion investment package in the United States. “This is real money. These aren’t fake deals,” the crown prince said. The investment includes purchases of American aircraft, jet engines, and computer servers, with future deals expected in aluminium production and artificial intelligence. An agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation was also signed.

Trump later dined with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The meeting follows Trump's recent tour of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “It was my Great Honor to welcome the Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Bahrain today at the White House. We have had a tremendous relationship with Bahrain over the years—and they have been a fantastic ally!”

Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, is expected to deepen ties further, with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa scheduled to visit Washington later this year.

As the meetings took place, clashes broke out in southern Syria between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze factions, prompting Israeli airstrikes on Damascus. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was present during Trump’s meeting with the Bahraini crown prince, said the situation in Syria was “an unfortunate misunderstanding” and expressed optimism for de-escalation.