Trump Pressures Middle East Nations To Join Abraham Accords: Saudi Arabia, Qatar First in Line

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a major expansion of the Abraham Accords as a diplomatic framework to address tensions with Iran, calling on six Middle Eastern nations—including Saudi Arabia and Qatar—to collectively normalize relations with Israel as a precondition for broader regional stability. The initiative, announced during recent high-level discussions, ties Iran’s potential reintegration into the global economy to the participation of key Arab states in the Accords, which currently include the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.

The move comes as indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran have reportedly reached a “95% consensus” on a framework agreement, according to sources familiar with the discussions. While Trump has not disclosed specific terms, his proposal reframes the Accords—a 2020 initiative brokered during his presidency to foster Arab-Israeli normalization—as a tool to isolate Iran diplomatically. The six unnamed countries targeted in his latest push are understood to include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and Pakistan, though no official statements have been issued by these governments.

Trump’s strategy appears designed to leverage Iran’s economic interests. By linking Iranian compliance with sanctions relief to the participation of these six nations in the Accords, the former president suggests that Tehran would face international pressure to engage with Israel—currently without formal diplomatic ties—if it seeks to reintegrate into the global financial system. The proposal also implicitly positions Saudi Arabia, Iran’s regional rival, as a potential leader in the effort, given its historical influence in the Gulf.

Market reactions to the diplomatic maneuver have been mixed. Oil prices, which had risen amid speculation over potential disruptions in Middle Eastern supply routes, dipped by approximately 5% in early trading on Monday following reports of the talks’ progress. Analysts cited reduced fears of a prolonged conflict, though cautioned that the finalization of any agreement remains contingent on resolving outstanding issues, including Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional security guarantees.

The timing of Trump’s intervention coincides with a broader push by the Biden administration to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, Trump’s proposal introduces a new variable by framing the Accords as a prerequisite for Iranian reengagement, potentially complicating negotiations. Diplomats have not yet commented on whether the Biden administration supports the expansion of the Accords as a condition for talks.

Saudi Arabia, which has historically maintained a cautious approach to formal ties with Israel, has not responded publicly to Trump’s proposal. Qatar, another key player, has similarly avoided direct comment, though its diplomatic channels remain engaged in regional mediation efforts. The inclusion of Turkey and Pakistan—both with complex relations to Israel and Iran—adds further layers of uncertainty to the initiative’s feasibility.

Analysts note that the proposal risks alienating Iran by framing its economic reintegration as contingent on diplomatic concessions to Israel, a position Tehran has repeatedly rejected. Meanwhile, the six targeted nations may resist being positioned as enforcers of a U.S.-led diplomatic strategy, particularly if it undermines their own sovereignty or regional alliances.

For now, the focus remains on whether the indirect talks between the U.S. And Iran will yield a formal agreement within the reported one-week deadline. If successful, the framework could pave the way for broader regional diplomacy—but Trump’s Accords expansion proposal introduces a potential stumbling block that could reshape the negotiation landscape.

Key Context:

The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, established diplomatic and economic ties between Israel and four Arab states: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. The initiative was brokered during Trump’s presidency and remains a cornerstone of his foreign policy legacy. Iran has consistently opposed the Accords, viewing them as a U.S.-led effort to isolate the Islamic Republic.

Saudi Arabia, while not a signatory, has engaged in behind-the-scenes talks with Israel in recent years, though no formal agreement has been reached. Qatar maintains diplomatic relations with both Israel and Iran, serving as a neutral mediator in regional conflicts.

Turkey and Pakistan, though not traditionally aligned with either Israel or Iran, have strategic interests in the Gulf and could play pivotal roles in Trump’s proposed expansion. Turkey, in particular, has historically opposed normalization with Israel over the Gaza conflict, while Pakistan’s stance is influenced by its alliance with Iran.

As negotiations proceed, the interplay between Trump’s diplomatic gambit and the Biden administration’s approach to Iran will be closely watched. The former president’s proposal underscores the polarized nature of U.S. Foreign policy toward the Middle East, where legacy initiatives and new strategies often clash.