United Nations, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his administration’s support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), describing the connectivity project as an alternative route for transporting energy and goods across the region.
Trump made the remarks during a multilateral meeting with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
“ Iran’s terrorist attacks on commercial shipping and neighboring countries have shown the need to shift Middle East energy infrastructure away from the Iranian checkpoints,” Trump said.
“That’s why my administration strongly supports the India, Middle East, Europe economic corridor,” he added, while also referring to pipelines and other routes for transporting oil out of the region.
Trump placed the corridor within his broader approach to the Middle East, which he said includes strengthening maritime security, securing energy supplies and preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
He said the US was working with regional partners to facilitate the movement of oil through Gulf waters and claimed that American forces had escorted more than one billion barrels of oil out of the Gulf in the recent period.
“We now have more oil flowing through the strait than at any point by far since the conflict began,” Trump said.
The President also said his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner had held what he described as a productive meeting with mediators involved in efforts to resolve the dispute with Iran.
“I think there’s a lot of momentum for them to make a deal,” Trump said, adding that his administration was receiving positive indications from different sides.
Trump said Witkoff and Kushner were respected by Iran and expressed confidence that their involvement could contribute to an agreement.
“I have a lot of respect on both sides. They respect him. The Iranians respect them both very much,” he said. “And I think it’s important, but I think we’re going to get it done.”
At the same time, Trump issued a warning to Tehran, saying the dispute would either be resolved through negotiations or end quickly through other means.
“We’re going to make a deal or it’s going to end very, very quickly,” he said.
Trump claimed that US military action had crippled Iran’s navy, eliminated its air force and destroyed much of its weapons infrastructure. He also said Washington was increasing financial pressure through what he called Operation Economic Outcast, with the aim of encouraging Tehran to reach an agreement.
The President thanked Gulf leaders for their partnership and investments in the United States, describing the countries represented at the meeting as close friends, allies and partners of Washington.
He also praised their involvement in efforts to end the Gaza conflict, saying many of the same leaders had met a year earlier and subsequently helped secure a peace agreement, the return of hostages and international backing for a 20-point Gaza peace plan.
“We continue to stand together,” Trump said. “We are all together very much united.”
The IMEC initiative was announced at the G20 summit in New Delhi in September 2023. India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the European Union, France, Germany and Italy signed a memorandum outlining the proposed project.
The corridor is designed to connect India with the Gulf through maritime links and connect the Gulf with Europe through rail and shipping networks. Its stated objectives include facilitating trade, reducing transportation time and strengthening economic and energy connectivity across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
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