After Iran War, Trump Urges Muslim Nations to Normalise Relations with Israel
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - US President Donald Trump has made another major move in the Middle East. Amid intense negotiations over a potential end to the Iran war, Trump is reported to have urged Muslim and Arab nations to immediately establish diplomatic relations with Israel through an expansion of the Abraham Accords.
Citing Axios, Trump raised the issue during a high-level conference call with leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain last weekend. During the discussion, Trump stressed that after the Iran war ends, he wants more Muslim-majority countries to recognise Israel and join the Abraham Accords.
“After the Iran war concludes, I hope countries that have not yet recognised Israel will move towards normalising relations,” Trump told regional leaders, according to the US outlet on Monday, 25 May 2026.
However, the statement reportedly caused an awkward silence during the call, particularly from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan, which currently have no formal diplomatic ties with Israel. An US official even said Trump made a joke during the silence.
“Trump asked if they were still on the line,” the official stated.
Trump Aims to Redraw Middle East Geopolitical Landscape
Trump’s move is seen not just as an effort to end the Iran war, but also to reshape the Middle East’s geopolitical map by incorporating Israel into a new regional alliance.
The biggest hurdle is Saudi Arabia. Although Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) previously indicated openness to ties with Israel, the Gaza war and rising Arab public sentiment have made Riyadh cautious.
Saudi Arabia has stated that normalising relations with Israel is only possible if there is a clear path to establishing a Palestinian state. Meanwhile, the Israeli government continues to reject this proposal.
Trump Proposes Controversial Idea: Iran Joins Abraham Accords
In a Truth Social post, Trump also floated another controversial idea: inviting Iran to join the Abraham Accords.
“I want to thank all Middle Eastern countries for their support and cooperation, which will be further strengthened by their joining the historic Abraham Accords and, who knows, maybe the Islamic Republic of Iran also wants to join!” Trump wrote.
However, the proposal is deemed nearly impossible under Iran’s current regime. Tehran has for decades refused to recognise Israel and labelled it a “occupying power”.
“Iran will never recognise an occupying regime that has committed genocide and killed children,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a state television interview in 2025.
The Abraham Accords, mediated by the US in 2020, represent one of the Middle East’s most significant diplomatic breakthroughs. Through the agreement, Israel has established formal ties with several Arab nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco.
The accords have shifted the traditional Arab approach of refusing to recognise Israel until the Palestinian issue is resolved. Now, cooperation focuses on shared strategic interests, from trade and technology to investment and defence, particularly to counter Iran’s influence in the region.