Donald Trump is in the United Arab Emirates on the final leg of his Middle East tour. He caused a stir earlier today in Qatar, with claims about a deal to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons and comments about VE Day. Watch below as he continues his UAE visit – we’ve paused our text updates.
Thursday 15 May 2025 18:20, UK
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Thanks for joining us – we’re pausing our text updates now, but you can still watch more from Donald Trump’s tour of the Middle East in the stream at the top of this page.
Before we return with more text updates in the morning, here’s a recap of the biggest stories from the last 24 hours:
For more expert analysis, catch up on the latest from our team of editors and correspondents:
Away from Trump’s tour of the Middle East for a moment and back over in the US, the co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s has been arrested after disrupting a Senate hearing with a pro-Gaza protest.
Ben Cohen, Ben of the famous ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s, was one of seven people arrested at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Wednesday, Sky News‘ US partner NBC News reported.
Robert F Kennedy Jr was speaking to the committee when the protests started with someone shouting: „RFK kills people with AIDs!“
„When Bobby lies, children die,“ is also heard, as well as: „Anti-vax, anti-science, anti-America“ in reference to Mr Kennedy’s vaccine views.
Police quickly flooded into the room and began dragging out protesters. Moments after, Cohen got to his feet and accused the US government of playing a role in the deaths of children in Gaza.
The ice cream boss can be seen in footage of the incident on his feet, gesturing as he shouted at the US health secretary.
Arab nations have rolled out the red carpet for Donald Trump during his Middle East tour (except for Saudi Arabia, who rolled out a symbolic lavender carpet instead).
On the latest leg of his trip to the region, the US president received an escort from UAE jets, which accompanied Air Force One to Abu Dhabi earlier today.
Trump received a similar escort when landing in Riyadh on Tuesday, with six Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s accompanying his plane into the kingdom’s capital.
Iran has not received any fresh proposal from the US to resolve a decades-long nuclear dispute, a senior Iranian official has told Reuters news agency.
The official also said Tehran would only ship its highly enriched uranium abroad if US sanctions were lifted „verifiably and effectively“.
Donald Trump said earlier that Iran has „sort of“ agreed to the terms of a nuclear deal with the US (see 8.04am post).
He also described the latest talks between the two countries, which ended on Sunday, as „very serious negotiations“ for „long-term peace“.
Away from Abu Dhabi for a moment, as we’ve just received an update from JD Vance’s office.
It said the US vice president will lead a delegation at the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV.
That will be taking place on Sunday, with tens of thousands expected to gather at St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
The new pope made headlines around the world after becoming the first American pontiff, and he’s also a citizen of Peru after spending many years there.
The service marks the official state of the new papacy, and will see world leaders, royalty and religious figures attend.
For more details on what to expect from the mass, you can read our explainer below.
Donald Trump is now being shown around the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
„Isn’t this beautiful? It’s so beautiful,“ he says to the camera as he pauses for a moment.
„This is an incredible culture. I’m very proud of my friends. Thank you.
„This is the first time they’ve closed the mosque for the day, is that true? The first time they’ve closed it. It’s an honour.“
Now that Donald Trump has touched down in the United Arab Emirates, let’s revisit that schedule we told you about earlier (see 7.36 post).
His timings have slipped after leaving Qatar later than planned, but we’re expecting Trump to be at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for around an hour before travelling to the Ritz Carlton Grand Canal for executive time with officials.
He will then head to Qasr Al Watan (Palace of the Nation) where there will be a state greeting, bilateral meetings and a guest book signing.
Like his visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Trump will be given a state dinner this evening.
Donald Trump has been welcomed to the United Arab Emirates by the country’s president after stepping off Air Force One.
It’s the final stop of his Middle East tour, which has also included visits to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Here’s a look at how he was welcomed to Abu Dhabi…
Donald Trump has just touched down in Abu Dhabi for the final stop on his Middle East tour.
The US president walked out the door of Air Force One and, unlike most of his visits, didn’t have to walk down any steps.
That’s because there was an air bridge connected to the plane, meaning he’s been able to greet officials right outside the aircraft.
He’s been given flowers on his arrival and has been met by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Donald Trump has tucked into a spaghetti and meatballs lunch while on Air Force One travelling to the United Arab Emirates.
He then spoke to the reporters on board, and said nothing is going to happen on Russia and Ukraine until he meets Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, Trump said he’s raised trillions from his Middle East tour, adding Saudi Arabia and Qatar are good friends.
He went on to say the United Arab Emirates felt abandoned and were going to be consumed by China.
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