The US president said countries involved in the Iran negotiations should join the normalisation framework, naming Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and Jordan among those he wants brought into the accords. He described such participation as “mandatory” and argued that a broader bloc recognising Israel would strengthen any agreement with Tehran.
Trump singled out Saudi Arabia and Qatar as the states that should lead the process, saying their immediate signature should be followed by others. The proposal places two influential Gulf powers at the centre of a diplomatic initiative that blends Iran talks, Israel normalisation and wider regional security calculations.
The remarks came as Washington pursued negotiations with Tehran aimed at reducing tensions after months of conflict, pressure on Gulf shipping and concern over Iran’s nuclear programme. Trump said the Iran process was advancing but gave few details, while maintaining that any agreement must be strong enough to justify US support.
The most striking element of Trump’s intervention was his suggestion that Iran itself could eventually be welcomed into the Abraham Accords if it reaches a deal with Washington. Such a move would require a dramatic shift by Tehran, whose leadership has refused to recognise Israel for decades and has treated Israel as a central adversary in its regional policy.
Regional reaction has been cautious. Pakistan has rejected the idea of joining the Abraham Accords, while several other governments named by Trump have not publicly endorsed the proposal. The silence reflects the political sensitivity of formal ties with Israel at a time when the war in Gaza continues to shape public opinion across the region.
Saudi Arabia remains the pivotal prize for Washington and Israel. Riyadh has kept channels open with the United States on normalisation, but its position has been tied to a credible path towards Palestinian statehood. That condition has become harder to separate from domestic and regional pressure over Gaza, where the scale of civilian suffering has narrowed the diplomatic space for Arab governments.
Qatar’s inclusion adds another layer of complexity. Doha does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, but it has played a central role in mediation involving Gaza, hostages and regional security. Its position as both a US security partner and a channel to Hamas gives it leverage, but also makes any move towards normalisation politically difficult without visible progress on Palestinian issues.
The Abraham Accords were launched in 2020 during Trump’s first term, when the UAE and Bahrain established formal relations with Israel. Morocco followed, while Sudan signed the declaration but its full normalisation track was disrupted by internal turmoil. The accords opened economic, technology, security and tourism channels, but critics argued that they bypassed the Palestinian question rather than resolving it.
Trump’s approach suggests an attempt to turn the Iran talks into a broader regional settlement. Supporters see that as a way to bind Arab and Muslim-majority states, Israel and eventually Iran into a framework that could reduce military confrontation and expand trade. Opponents warn that linking separate files could complicate already fragile negotiations by placing politically explosive demands on governments that are not ready to recognise Israel.
Egypt, Jordan and Turkey occupy different positions in that equation. Egypt and Jordan already have peace treaties with Israel, though relations have been strained by Gaza. Turkey recognises Israel but has had turbulent ties with its government. Their inclusion in Trump’s demand appears designed less around formal recognition than around a wider public recommitment to regional integration under a US-backed framework.
The Iran track remains uncertain. Negotiators have been discussing security guarantees, sanctions relief, uranium enrichment, inspections and maritime access, while Tehran has signalled that some issues must be sequenced carefully. Israel has pressed for tougher limits on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, and sceptics in Washington have questioned whether any bargain with Tehran would be enforceable.
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