US leaders engage in Middle East diplomacy amid nuclear deal scrutiny

US President Donald Trump held a phone call with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments in the Middle East. The discussion focused on strengthening joint efforts to address common concerns and regional crises. This contact follows recent diplomatic activity, including a meeting between White House envoy Steve Witkoff and UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan regarding Iran.

Separately, US Representative Brad Sherman has raised objections to a US-Saudi nuclear agreement submitted to Congress by the Trump administration. Sherman expressed concern that the deal could place Saudi Arabia on a “glide path to have a nuclear weapon in 10 to 15 years,” noting that it reportedly allows for uranium enrichment and reprocessing on Saudi soil without International Atomic Energy Agency inspections. While Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the agreement as upholding high safety and nonproliferation standards, the specific terms of the deal remain partially classified.