Steve Witkoff sworn in as Trump’s Middle East deal-maker

In a ceremony held at the Oval Office on May 6, President Donald Trump expressed his complete confidence in Steve Witkoff as he was sworn in as the new U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East. Secretary of State Marco Rubio administered the oath.

Trump hailed Witkoff’s significant role in securing key international agreements, including the extended ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the safe return of 33 hostages, including two Americans, Caliber.Az reports via the American media.

The president emphasised his “absolute confidence, support, and trust” in Witkoff’s diplomatic capabilities, particularly in negotiations involving Israel, Hamas, Ukraine, and Russia.

Although Witkoff is primarily known as a real estate businessman, Trump praised his rapid adaptation to diplomacy. “He quickly established himself as one of the toughest, smartest, and best negotiators in the business,” Trump said, underscoring Witkoff’s reputation in both the business world and as a negotiator for the U.S. government.

Trump acknowledged that Witkoff faced a learning curve in foreign relations but noted his swift ability to catch on. “It takes him about an hour to figure it out. After that, he’s brutal. He does a great job,” the president remarked.

Over the last few months, Witkoff has been active in high-level diplomacy, meeting with key global leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Iranian leaders, working tirelessly to resolve conflicts.

Addressing the media after the ceremony, Trump fielded questions on several topics, including the ceasefire with the Houthis and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. When asked about the Houthis' intentions regarding Israel, Trump noted that their surrogates have indicated that they “want nothing to do with [the United States].”

Trump also spoke of the challenges of securing the release of hostages in Gaza, emphasising the importance of recovering not just the living but also the bodies of those who perished at Hamas’s hands. “They wanted his body as much as you would want the boy if he was alive. It’s a very sad thing,” Trump said, referring to a recent encounter with a grieving couple.

On the topic of Iran and its nuclear ambitions, Trump reaffirmed that Iran “is not going to have a nuclear weapon.” He stressed that the current situation was critical for Iran and expressed hope for a peaceful resolution. “I’d love to see a peace deal, a strong peace deal,” he said. “But they can't have a nuclear weapon. And if they choose to go a different route, it’s going to be a very sad thing.”

By Tamilla Hasanova