Trump says US should ‘take’ Gaza, make it a ‘freedom zone’ amid Israel-Hamas war

Donald Trump also said that the United States was nearing a nuclear deal with Iran, and that Tehran had “sort of” agreed to the terms.

Updated on: May 15, 2025, 15:59:47 IST

By HT News Desk

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Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he believes the United States should “take” the region and turn it into a “freedom zone.”

“I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good, make it a freedom zone, let the United States get involved, and make it just a freedom zone,” said Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump gestures during a business roundtable, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. (AP)

He also said that the United States was nearing a nuclear deal with Iran, and that Tehran had “sort of” agreed to the terms.

Iran has held four rounds of discussions with the Trump administration, which is working to prevent a potential Israeli military strike on Tehran’s disputed nuclear programme.

“You probably read today the story about Iran. It's sort of agreed to the terms,” Trump said.

While he didn’t clarify which reports he was referencing, Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told ABC News that Tehran was willing to give up its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions.

Trump also said that Iran should “say a big thank you” to Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, crediting him for urging the US not to take military action against Iran.

Qatar emerges as key mediator in Gaza conflict

Qatar has played a key role as a mediator in negotiations aimed at ending the 19-month Gaza conflict and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.

He further pledged to “go back on the offensive” if Yemen's Houthi rebels launch new attacks, despite a ceasefire agreement reached with Washington earlier this month.

Trump, who began his first major foreign tour in Saudi Arabia and later Thursday heads to the United Arab Emirates, has been unabashed about seeking Gulf money and hailed the effect on creating jobs at home.

Trump, who began his first major foreign tour in Saudi Arabia and visited the United Arab Emirates later on Thursday, has openly welcomed Gulf investments, praising their impact on job creation in the United States.

With agencies inputs

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HT News Desk
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