They owe it to us: Trump hinges Iran deal on Gulf states joining Abraham Accords
Donald Trump ties future Iran negotiations to the expansion of the Abraham Accords. He wants Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan and Turkey to join the Israel normalisation framework.
The Abraham Accords -- brokered by the United States during Donald Trump's first term -- were formed to normalise relations between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority countries. Now, as negotiations with Iran continue, Trump is again putting pressure on Gulf states to join the framework.
The US President has warned that a deal with Iran would hinge on whether Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan and Turkey agree to formally sign the Abraham Accords. Speaking at the latest Cabinet meeting, Trump said Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other countries should sign the accords immediately, adding that his special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were working on it.
"I think they owe that to us, to be honest," he said. "It'll be historic if they do it."
TRUMP ADDS PRESSURE ON GULF NATIONS
During the press interaction, Trump turned towards his envoy Steve Witkoff and asked whether more countries could be persuaded to join the agreements.
"We're definitely pushing it," Witkoff replied.
Then, Trump said that Washington may reconsider its efforts to end the Middle East conflict if Gulf nations refuse to join.
"I'm not sure we should make the deal if they don't sign," Trump said.
The Republican leader also praised countries already part of the framework, especially the United Arab Emirates. He argued that joining the accords would help countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait economically and politically.
WHAT THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS ARE ABOUT
The Abraham Accords were introduced in 2020 and named after Abraham, the religious figure respected in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The agreements encourage diplomatic ties and cooperation between Israel and Arab states in areas including trade, technology, tourism, medicine and agriculture. The UAE and Bahrain became the first Gulf nations to establish formal relations with Israel under the accords. Morocco and Sudan later joined the framework.
The US says the agreements opened new trade routes and economic partnerships in the region. Israel and the UAE have since signed several business and technology agreements. The accords are also seen as one of the biggest diplomatic shifts in the Middle East since Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 and Jordan followed in 1994.
TRUMP MAKES NEW PLAY FOR ARAB-ISRAEL TIES
Earlier, in a Truth Social post, Trump named Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan as possible future signatories. He said countries refusing to join were showing "bad intention" and claimed most nations should be willing to participate.
According to Trump, wider participation would help create a stronger and more united Middle East. He even suggested Iran could one day become part of the framework.
"It would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition," Trump wrote.
WHY GULF COUNTRIES MAY HOLD BACK
Despite Trump's confidence, political barriers still stand in the way.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stated that any normalisation with Israel must include serious progress towards Palestinian statehood. Pakistan has already rejected the possibilities.
Qatar also remains unlikely to join in the near future. It positions itself as a neutral mediator in regional conflicts and maintains ties with Hamas. Iran joining the accords is considered highly unrealistic. Tehran's opposition to Israel is one of the core pillars of the Iranian regime.
The Abraham Accords -- brokered by the United States during Donald Trump's first term -- were formed to normalise relations between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority countries. Now, as negotiations with Iran continue, Trump is again putting pressure on Gulf states to join the framework.
The US President has warned that a deal with Iran would hinge on whether Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan and Turkey agree to formally sign the Abraham Accords. Speaking at the latest Cabinet meeting, Trump said Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other countries should sign the accords immediately, adding that his special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were working on it.
"I think they owe that to us, to be honest," he said. "It'll be historic if they do it."
TRUMP ADDS PRESSURE ON GULF NATIONS
During the press interaction, Trump turned towards his envoy Steve Witkoff and asked whether more countries could be persuaded to join the agreements.
"We're definitely pushing it," Witkoff replied.
Then, Trump said that Washington may reconsider its efforts to end the Middle East conflict if Gulf nations refuse to join.
"I'm not sure we should make the deal if they don't sign," Trump said.
The Republican leader also praised countries already part of the framework, especially the United Arab Emirates. He argued that joining the accords would help countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait economically and politically.
WHAT THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS ARE ABOUT
The Abraham Accords were introduced in 2020 and named after Abraham, the religious figure respected in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The agreements encourage diplomatic ties and cooperation between Israel and Arab states in areas including trade, technology, tourism, medicine and agriculture. The UAE and Bahrain became the first Gulf nations to establish formal relations with Israel under the accords. Morocco and Sudan later joined the framework.
The US says the agreements opened new trade routes and economic partnerships in the region. Israel and the UAE have since signed several business and technology agreements. The accords are also seen as one of the biggest diplomatic shifts in the Middle East since Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 and Jordan followed in 1994.
TRUMP MAKES NEW PLAY FOR ARAB-ISRAEL TIES
Earlier, in a Truth Social post, Trump named Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan as possible future signatories. He said countries refusing to join were showing "bad intention" and claimed most nations should be willing to participate.
According to Trump, wider participation would help create a stronger and more united Middle East. He even suggested Iran could one day become part of the framework.
"It would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition," Trump wrote.
WHY GULF COUNTRIES MAY HOLD BACK
Despite Trump's confidence, political barriers still stand in the way.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stated that any normalisation with Israel must include serious progress towards Palestinian statehood. Pakistan has already rejected the possibilities.
Qatar also remains unlikely to join in the near future. It positions itself as a neutral mediator in regional conflicts and maintains ties with Hamas. Iran joining the accords is considered highly unrealistic. Tehran's opposition to Israel is one of the core pillars of the Iranian regime.
