US President Donald Trump is determined to bring the months-long war involving Iran and other Middle Eastern actors to an end soon, according to Massad Boulos, the White House senior adviser for Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Boulos said negotiations were being given a chance, but declined to set a timetable for any possible ceasefire or peace agreement.
The comments, made to Euronews at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on 17 September 2026, offer an indication of Washington’s stated diplomatic direction. They do not amount to a confirmed peace deal, ceasefire or formal announcement that fighting is about to stop.
What Boulos said about ending the conflict
Boulos said Trump believed the war would end soon and was actively working towards that outcome. He described the president as determined to deliver on the objective, while stressing that the timing of any announcement would be decided by Trump.
“The president believes that it’s going to end soon, and he’s determined to make it end,” Boulos said. He added that the administration was hopeful that negotiations would ultimately produce peace.
No details were provided about the negotiating parties, the location of any talks or the terms under discussion. Boulos also did not identify a specific date for a ceasefire or explain whether a formal proposal had been exchanged.
The nuclear issue remains central
Boulos presented Iran’s nuclear programme as the key issue that must be resolved before the war can end. He repeated the US position that Tehran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
He said the administration was allowing negotiations and talks to proceed, describing Trump as patient but firm on the nuclear question. The comments suggest that any diplomatic settlement would need to address Washington’s security concerns, although the adviser did not outline what guarantees, inspections or restrictions might form part of an agreement.
For now, the nuclear issue remains a political condition stated by the US administration rather than a completed negotiating framework. There was no indication in the interview that an agreement had been reached with Iran.
Washington highlights ties with Gulf states
The adviser also described Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan as important US partners. His remarks came as Gulf governments have questioned whether existing security arrangements provide sufficient protection amid regional tensions.
Boulos said coordination between Washington and its regional partners was taking place at several levels. He also linked a possible end to the war with renewed efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, the diplomatic normalisation agreements advanced during Trump’s first presidency.
According to Boulos, further countries had been prepared to join the accords before the process was interrupted by the 2020 US election. He suggested that peace initiatives could resume after the current conflict is resolved, but did not name additional prospective participants or provide a timetable.
Claims about other conflicts remain unelaborated
Boulos said Trump had helped resolve eight conflicts and was working on two more. He cited the conflict between Pakistan and India and claimed that US efforts had potentially saved millions of lives.
He did not provide details of the eight conflicts or explain the basis for the casualty estimate. The claims were presented by the adviser and were not supported in the interview by independently verified figures or a list of agreements.
That distinction matters when assessing statements about diplomatic achievements. The interview confirms the administration’s view of its role, but does not establish that all of the conflicts mentioned have been formally resolved or that the figures cited are independently documented.
Sudan described as the administration’s main humanitarian concern
Boulos identified Sudan as the most urgent humanitarian issue facing the administration. He described the conflict there as the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe and said tens of millions of people required assistance.
He stated that the United States had provided more than $3 billion in humanitarian support since the war began. He also said Washington was pursuing an arms embargo through the United Nations Security Council and was limiting its involvement to humanitarian assistance and diplomatic efforts.
The comments underline the scale of the humanitarian crisis, while also showing that the US approach to Sudan is distinct from its attempt to negotiate an end to the Iran conflict. No new Sudan peace initiative or military commitment was announced in the interview.
What happens next?
The next significant development would be evidence of formal negotiations, a ceasefire announcement or a publicly released agreement. Until then, the conflict remains ongoing and the US position described by Boulos should be understood as an administration statement rather than a confirmed settlement.
- No timeline was given for ending the war.
- The nuclear issue remains a central US condition.
- Negotiations are being presented as an avenue that Washington wants to pursue.
- Regional partners, including Gulf states, are being consulted according to the adviser.
- The Abraham Accords may receive renewed attention if the conflict ends.
Why the development matters for Europe
Although the statement was made in Dubai and concerns a US-led diplomatic effort, any escalation or settlement involving Iran could have consequences beyond the Middle East. European governments may face implications for regional security, energy markets, shipping routes, migration pressures and diplomatic coordination with Washington.
However, the interview did not announce a European Union decision, new EU sanctions or a formal European peace initiative. It therefore represents an important diplomatic signal, but not an EU policy change or a confirmed end to the conflict.
Conclusion
The latest EU news and wider Europe news agenda will continue to follow developments in the Middle East closely because regional instability can affect European security and economic interests. For now, the central fact is that Trump’s adviser says the president is determined to end the Iran war soon, while no deadline, ceasefire or agreement has been confirmed. The next stage will depend on whether the stated willingness to negotiate produces a verifiable diplomatic outcome.
