Iran will be top of mind at the UN and Trump as a chance to strike a deal
Welcome to the start of hell week, otherwise known as the chaos that strangles Manhattan when international heads of state arrive to speak at the United Nations.Congestion is certain to be worse than its usual nightmare amid street closures as Secret Service motorcades move 200 petty potentates around town.The war in Iran will be top of mind, with President Trump scheduled to speak Tuesday, and the president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, taking the General Assembly podium Wednesday.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gets his turn Thursday.Reports say the State Department granted visas to a small group of Iranians, including the president and foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, while restricting their travel here and banned them from buying luxury goods.Although no meetings between the warring nations have been scheduled, I would be shocked if one doesn’t materialize.
Trump has never met the Iranian leaders, and his desire to end the war before the midterm elections, combined with his fondness for face-to-face talks, presents a timely chance to strike a deal.Without mentioning his UN trip, the president said last week, “Hopefully we are toward the end of the war.”For that to be true, the Iranians must want peace enough to accept Trump’s demand to give up its enriched uranium and nuke facilities.The president is scheduled to meet with Gulf Arab leaders Wednesday, according to Axios, which said invitations were sent to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.Trump also returns to Washington Wednesday to welcome Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a two-day summit.Whatever happens inside the East Side Puzzle Palace will be far more orderly than the disruptions expected to engulf surrounding streets.Although the left’s hatred of Trump is usually sufficient fodder to gin up camera-ready anger, this year’s protests could be larger than ever and turn violent — thanks to Gotham’s radical rookie mayor, Zohran Mamdani.His hatred of Israel and Netan...