Trump Urges Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Others to Normalise Relations with Israel

Post-War Diplomacy Emerges from Iran Conflict Talks

US President Donald Trump has reportedly urged Saudi Arabia and other Arab and Muslim-majority countries to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel following ongoing negotiations aimed at ending hostilities between the United States and Iran.

According to Axios, the request was made during a conference call with several regional leaders on Saturday, where discussions centred on a proposed peace framework between Washington and Tehran.

Two US officials cited by the publication said Trump told participating countries that he expects them to formalise relations with Israel once the Iran conflict is resolved and regional tensions ease.

Expansion of the Abraham Accords Framework

The reported push is widely viewed as an attempt to expand the Abraham Accords, the US-backed initiative that previously led to normalisation agreements between Israel and countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

During the same call, US and Iranian representatives reportedly discussed broader regional arrangements, including reopening strategic routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

The call included leaders from Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, reflecting the scale of the diplomatic engagement.

Trump reportedly described the emerging Iran deal as “largely negotiated,” with final details still being refined.

Silence From Arab Leaders After Normalisation Request

Axios reported that when Trump raised the issue of normalisation with Israel, the call went silent, prompting him to jokingly ask whether participants were still on the line.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan were among the countries identified as not having diplomatic relations with Israel at present.

Shortly after the exchange, Trump reportedly stated he would contact Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and explore future joint discussions involving Arab leaders.

Longstanding Palestinian Condition Remains a Major Obstacle

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have repeatedly maintained that any normalisation with Israel is conditional on progress toward a Palestinian state.

This position aligns with the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which calls for Israeli recognition only after the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza has further complicated diplomatic efforts, reversing momentum built in earlier stages of regional negotiations.

Competing Visions for Regional Peace

While some US lawmakers have expressed scepticism, others, including Senator Lindsey Graham, described Trump’s proposal as a potentially historic breakthrough if implemented.

However, critics argue that previous US proposals, including ideas involving Gaza’s redevelopment and population relocation, have deepened regional mistrust.

The latest diplomatic push highlights the continuing tension between strategic realignment efforts and unresolved political disputes across the Middle East.