Trump demands Gulf states normalise ties with Israel as part of Iran peace deal

WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said he had requested leaders of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan to sign the Abraham Accords as part of normalising relations with Israel following a deal with Iran. The remarks were made on Monday amid despair over failed attempts to subdue Iran through Israeli military actions since February. Trump described the involvement of these countries in the Abraham Accords as a ‘mandatory’ step, to be implemented simultaneously once the Tehran deal is reached. He described it as a ‘reward’ for the US’s efforts to unite regional interests long plagued by conflict and geopolitical rivalry. Trump also claimed the Abraham Accords have delivered significant economic and social benefits to participating nations including the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and Kazakhstan. According to Trump, member states have experienced a ‘surge’ in financial, economic, and social growth even amid ongoing conflicts and wars in the region. He also stressed no member has expressed a desire to leave or suspend the agreement. The controversial deal was launched by Trump in 2020, successfully persuading the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan to normalise ties with Israel in exchange for economic aid and military support. Most Arab countries reject normalising relations with Israel due to conditions set out in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, led by Saudi Arabia and adopted by the Arab League. The initiative offers full diplomatic normalisation in exchange for Israel’s complete withdrawal from territories occupied since 1967 and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.