Trump once again suggests US taking over Gaza

President Trump has once again suggested the United States would look to take control of the Gaza Strip and turn it into a “freedom zone,” highlighting one of his more controversial foreign policy proposals during a visit to Qatar, according to The Hill.

“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,” Trump said during a business roundtable.

“I’d be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone, let some good things happen. Put people in homes where they can be safe, and Hamas is going to have to be dealt with,” Trump added.

Qatar has played host to periodic ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in an attempt to stop the fighting between the two sides, but so far negotiations have been at a stalemate as bombings continue.

The president, earlier this year first proposed the idea of the US taking control of Gaza, which has been devastated by Israeli military strikes. 

Trump has previously suggested Palestinians living in Gaza would relocate elsewhere in the region while the US rebuilt the strip. He has brushed off questions about how the US would take over the territory, though he previously floated that Israel would turn it over at the conclusion of its war with Gaza.

The idea has drawn pushback from the head of the Palestinian National Authority, as well as from US allies such as Saudi Arabia.

 

United States downgraded by Moody’s Ratings

According to Bloomberg, the US was downgraded by Moody’s Ratings on Friday thanks to government debt that’s approaching a mind-numbing US$37 trillion. It was a dramatic move that cast further doubt on the polarized nation’s status as the world’s highest-quality sovereign borrower. Moody’s lowered the US credit score to Aa1 from Aaa, joining Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings in grading the world’s biggest economy below the top, triple-A position.

The one-notch cut comes more than a year after Moody’s changed its outlook on the US rating to negative. The federal budget deficit is running near US$2 trillion a year, or more than 6% of gross domestic product, and Congressional Republicans are pushing through budget legislation that could add trillions of dollars more.

“While we recognize the US’ significant economic and financial strengths, we believe these no longer fully counterbalance the decline in fiscal metrics,” Moody’s wrote in a statement. 

Earlier on Friday, new data showed US consumer sentiment has fallen to the second-lowest level on record, and inflation expectations climbed to multi-decade highs.

The preliminary May sentiment index declined to 50.8 from 52.2 a month earlier, according to the University of Michigan. That was lower than all but one estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists. The main reason cited was President Donald Trump’s trade war.

Nearly three-fourths of respondents to the Michigan survey spontaneously mentioned tariffs. The topic crosses partisan lines, including a notable share of Republicans bringing it up. The new, sobering survey data comes as inflation data from the Trump administration’s Department of Labor has been unexpectedly upbeat, coming in softer than estimates three months in a row.

 

PSX benchmark index up 11.64%WoW

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PS) regained momentum after a ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India on May 10, 2025, brokered through US mediation. This eased geopolitical tensions and helped stabilize investor sentiment following a week of heightened volatility. The benchmark index closed the week on May 16, 2025 at 119,649 points, recording a gain of 12,474 points, up 11.64%WoW.

On the first trading day of the week, the benchmark KSE-100 index surged by 10,123 points— the highest single-day gain in point terms. Investor confidence was further reinforced by the International Monetary Fund’s approval and disbursement of US$1 billion tranche under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and approval of an additional arrangement for the US$1.4 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

On the macroeconomic front, workers’ remittances were reported at US$3.2 billion, resulting in a current account surplus of US$12 million during April 2025. Alongside, Net FDI for the month was reported at US$141 million. Foreign exchange reserves held by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased by US$71 million to US$10.4 billion.

Average daily trading volume was up by 34.8%WoW to 685 million shares as compared to 508 million shares traded in the earlier week.

Other major news flow during the week included: 1) GoP proposed to 10% tax cut for salaried class, 2) Pakistan and Russia consented to set up a steel mill, 3) IFEM on petrol and diesel increased, 4) Prime Minister set up panel for petroleum sector reforms, and 5) Pakistan and India talks in Saudi Arabia to be scheduled shortly.

Vanaspati & Allied Industries, Transport, Refinery, Woollen and Inv.Banks/ Inv.cos/ Securities.cos were amongst the top performers, while Textile Spinning and Jute were amongst the worst performers.

Major selling was recorded by Banks/ DFIs with a net sell of US$20.6 million. Mutual Funds absorbed most of the selling with a net buy of US$39.2 million.

Top performing scrips of the week were: AGL, FCEP, PTC, ATRL and SEARL, while laggards included: PKGP, IBFL, NESTLE, and PGLC.

According to AKD Securities, PSX is expected to remain positive in the coming weeks, with the recent announcement of a ceasefire and release of tranche by IMF likely to be key triggers. The KSE100 is anticipated to sustain its upward trajectory, driven by strong earnings in Fertilizers, sustained ROEs in Banks, and improving cash flows of E&Ps and OMCs, benefiting from falling interest rates and economic stability.

Top pick of the brokerage house include: OGDC, PPL, PSO, FFC, ENGROH, MEBL, MCB, HBL, LUCK, FCCL, INDU and SYS.

US close to nuclear deal with Iran, says Trump

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States was getting very close to securing a nuclear deal with Iran, and Tehran had "sort of" agreed to the terms, reports Reuters.

"We're in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace," Trump said on a tour of the Gulf.

"We're getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this... there (are) two steps to doing this, there is a very, very nice step and there is the violent step, but I don't want to do it the second way," he said.

An Iranian source familiar with the negotiations said there were still gaps to bridge in the talks with the United States.

Oil prices fell by about US$2 on Thursday on expectations for a US-Iran nuclear deal that could result in sanctions easing.

Talks between Iranian and US negotiators to resolve disputes over Tehran's nuclear programme ended in Oman on Sunday with further negotiations planned, officials said, as Tehran publicly insisted on continuing its uranium enrichment.

The Trump administration gave Iran a proposal for a nuclear deal during the fourth round of negotiations on Sunday.

Though Tehran and Washington have both said they prefer diplomacy to resolve the decades-long nuclear dispute, they remain divided on several red lines that negotiators will have to circumvent to reach a new deal and avert future military action.

Iran's president reacted to Trump's comments on Tuesday calling Tehran the “most destructive force” in the Middle East.

“Trump thinks he can sanction and threaten us and then talk of human rights. All the crimes and regional instability is caused by them (the United States),” Masoud Pezeshkian said.

“He wants to create instability inside Iran.”

However, in an interview with NBC News published on Wednesday, an Iranian official said Iran was willing to agree to a deal with the US in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran would commit to never making nuclear weapons and getting rid of its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, agree to enrich uranium only to the lower levels needed for civilian use and allow international inspectors to supervise the process, NBC reported.

US officials have publicly stated that Iran should halt uranium enrichment, a stance Iranian officials have called a "red line" asserting they will not give up what they view as their right to enrich uranium on Iranian soil.

However, they have indicated a willingness to reduce the level of enrichment.

Iranian officials have also expressed readiness to reduce the amount of highly enriched uranium in storage—uranium enriched beyond the levels typically needed for civilian purposes, such as nuclear power generation.

But they have said it would not accept lower stockpiles than the amount agreed in a deal with world powers in 2015 - the deal Trump quit.

The Iranian source said that while Iran is prepared to offer what it considers concessions, "the issue is that America is not willing to lift major sanctions in exchange."

Western sanctions have severely impacted the Iranian economy.

Regarding the reduction of enriched uranium in storage, the source noted: “Tehran also wants it removed in several stages, which America doesn't agree with either.”

There is also disagreement over the destination to which the highly enriched uranium would be sent, the source added.

 

 

Suez Canal to lure back container ships

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) said in a circular, in response to requests from containership owners and operators, and in light of recent positive developments in the security situation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait it would be offering rebate on tolls for large boxships.

A rebate of 15% on tolls will apply to container ships of 130,000 net tonnage or above transiting the canal either laden or in ballast conditions and will be applied directly on transit without need to submit additional documentation.

“This rebate is calculated solely on the normal transit dues stipulated by the transit dues table, in addition to surcharges levied on container tiers,” SCA said.

The rebate applies for containers ships transiting the canal from May 15, 2025 for a period of 90 days.

The Suez Canal has been hard hit by owners and operators diverting vessels via the Cape of Good Hope over the last 18 months to avoid attacks in the Red Sea by the Houthi.

Virtually all large container ships serving the Asia – Europe/Med, and US East Coast trades have diverted via the Cape.

Last week a ceasefire deal was announced between the United States and the Houthi with the group saying it would cease to attack commercial shipping.

Although there have been no confirmed attacks against commercial vessels since late 2024, owners that diverted via the Cape of Good Hope have been reluctant to return to Red Sea and Suez Canal transits due to the uncertainty that surrounds the security situation.

A return is also dependent on the insurance situation and as yet the Joint War Committee in London has not altered its status.

Courtesy: Seatrade Maritime Mews

Iran rejects Trump's negative portrayal of its regional role

Iranian foreign minister on Wednesday called his country's characterization by US President Donald Trump as the "most destructive force" in the Middle East "deceptive", days after a fourth round of Iran-US nuclear talks.

Abbas Araqchi also confirmed a Reuters report that the Iranian deputy foreign minister will meet in Istanbul with British, French and German diplomats on Friday to consult on the parameters of a potential new nuclear deal being negotiated between Tehran and Washington.

Iranian foreign minister said the fourth round of Iran-US talks held on May 11 was "difficult" as they focused on the controversial issue of enrichment, adding he hoped the US side would come with "more realistic positions" after gaining a better understanding of Iran's fundamental positions.

A fifth round of talks is to be announced by Oman's foreign ministry which has acted as mediator since the start of the talks in April.

On the first leg of his Gulf visit in Riyadh, Trump drew a stark contrast between what he called the "constructive vision" of Saudi Arabia and the "collapse and suffering" he said had been caused by Iranian leaders.

Washington has for long accused Tehran of "malign and destabilizing activity" in the region, including the support of non-state armed groups such as Yemen's Houthis which fall within the Iran-backed "Axis of Resistance" to Israel and US influence in the region.

"Unfortunately, this is a very deceptive view. The Iranian nation pursues the same aspirations toward progress and prosperity as other regional countries. It is the US with its sanctions and threats which has blocked Iran's path to progress," Araqchi said.

"Trump turns a blind eye to Israel's crimes and wants to present Iran as a threat to the region," he said.

Iran's top diplomat explained his recent trip to Saudi Arabia and Qatar was related to Iran-US nuclear negotiations, saying Tehran keeps its neighbours informed and seeks a regional understanding regarding a potential agreement with the US.

"We are very interested in having a regional understanding regarding these talks and potential agreement that will lead to increased security and improved regional understanding without the interference of any foreign country," he said.

 

 

Trump concludes visit to Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump departed Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a landmark official visit that saw the signing of a strategic economic partnership with the Kingdom, participation in the Saudi–US Investment Forum, Gulf-US Summit, and a historic meeting involving Syria’s new leadership.

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman was present at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to see off President Trump.

Trump’s visit marked his first official overseas trip during his second term. He was received at the airport on Tuesday morning by the Crown Prince, and the two leaders held multiple high-level engagements throughout the visit.

At Al-Yamamah Palace, Trump and the Crown Prince co-chaired the Saudi–US Summit, where they signed the Strategic Economic Partnership between the two governments. The summit addressed bilateral relations and regional security, and resulted in the exchange of numerous agreements and memoranda across key sectors including defense, energy, justice, health, space, and scientific research.

The visit also included the US–Gulf Summit, held in Riyadh, where Gulf leaders and Trump reaffirmed the strength of US–GCC strategic ties. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman noted that trade between GCC countries and the US reached nearly US$120 billion in 2024, with the US remaining a vital commercial partner.

In a diplomatic development, Trump announced the full removal of US sanctions on Syria and began the process of normalizing relations with the new Syrian government. The announcement followed a trilateral meeting hosted by the Crown Prince and attended by Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who joined via phone call. The talks emphasized Syrian sovereignty, stability, and reconstruction.

Al-Sharaa, who assumed office after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, thanked Trump for lifting sanctions, calling it a pivotal step toward rebuilding Syria. He also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia and Turkey for their diplomatic efforts in support of Syria’s reintegration.

During the visit, Trump toured Diriyah with the Crown Prince and learned about the area’s historical significance and future as a global cultural destination. The president was briefed on Diriyah’s development plan and praised Saudi Arabia’s transformation.

Trump’s departure follows a series of high-impact meetings and announcements, solidifying US–Saudi relations, expanding investment and security cooperation, and opening new diplomatic channels in the Middle East.

Courtesy: Saudi Gazette