Trump says Gulf allies back Iran blockade, warns U.S. is ‘locked and loaded’

Abdullateef Fowewe

United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Qatar and other Gulf states support maintaining the current pressure campaign on Iran, including the naval blockade and the new Operation Iron Gate, while stressing that Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon.

Trump made the remarks after what he described as an “excellent conversation” with Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, focused on Iran.

“Most importantly, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others, would prefer the status quo, in other words, a continuation of the Greatest Naval Blockade in History, and the new Operation Iron Gate — Therefore, Land and Sea,” Trump wrote on social media.

The president said the countries involved agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

“All have agreed that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon — That is non-negotiable!” Trump wrote.

He added that the United States remains prepared to act if the situation changes.

“Should there be any change with respect to developments in the Middle East, the United States of America is ‘locked and loaded’ and ready to go,” he said, while adding that such a development currently appeared “quite unlikely.”

Trump portrayed the current approach as protecting Israel and the wider Middle East from Iranian threats, saying there was “positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict.”

“We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict, and will ensure that America’s interests are at all times protected.

“At the conclusion of this Military Engagement, the American People, and the World, will be far safer and more secure,” Trump said.

Operation Iron Gate is aimed at restricting Iran’s movement of weapons and other materials across land routes, complementing the maritime blockade.