US President Donald Trump concluded his speech at an investment forum hosted by Saudi Arabia by praising his country and promoting himself as a man of peace who does not seek war, despite America's military might. He thus began a four-day Gulf tour focused on signing wide-ranging trade deals with some of the region's richest economies, although some of the agreements his administration praised were in the works before he took office.

Speaking to some of the world's business elite and the Saudi royal family, Trump revisited some of his favorite topics—including the US southern border and his victory in swing states in the November election—presenting a rosy picture of his economic policies. "The United States is the hottest country, except for your country," he told the crowd, referring by name to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler. Trump also reiterated what he said last week: that the United States would halt military operations against the Houthis after the US military launched more than 1,100 airstrikes targeting the group in Yemen since mid-March.

The crowd applauded enthusiastically when Trump announced that he was ordering the end of sanctions on Syria. He said he made the decision "after discussing the situation in Syria with the Crown Prince, your Crown Prince, as well as with Turkish President Erdogan, who called me a few days ago and asked for something very similar."

"Oh my God," Trump added, laughing. "What am I doing for the Crown Prince?"

"The people of Gaza deserve a much better future," Trump said during his speech on Gaza. "But that will or will not happen as long as their leaders choose to kidnap, torture, and target innocent men, women, and children for political purposes."