Trump Urges Arab and Muslim Leaders to Normalize Ties with Israel After Iran War
On May 23, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump held a conference call with leaders from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain, urging them to normalize relations with Israel and join the Abraham Accords once a deal to end the U.S.-Iran conflict is reached. The request surprised several leaders, leading to an awkward silence. Trump also suggested Iran might join the accords, though Tehran rejected the idea. The push comes amid a global energy crisis from the Strait of Hormuz paralysis.
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Arab Leaders Left in Stunned Silence by Trump's Coercive Iran Demands, BBC Expert Says
According to a BBC expert, US President Donald Trump's coercive diplomatic efforts in the Middle East left Arab leaders in stunned silence. The crisis began after US and Israeli forces attacked Iran in late February, prompting Iranian troops to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a global energy crisis. Despite ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire, Trump is pressuring more Arab countries—specifically Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan—to join the Abraham Accords, the 2020 agreements normalizing relations with Israel. BBC State Department correspondent Tom Bateman reported that during a call, Trump demanded these nations join the Accords or risk exclusion from a new deal to reopen the Strait. Bateman described the response as stunned silence, noting the threat implicit in Trump's approach. Arab Gulf states are keen to de-escalate the crisis, but current negotiations focus primarily on reopening the Strait and easing the energy crisis, postponing issues like Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Arab Leaders Left in Stunned Silence by Trump's Coercive Iran Demands, BBC Expert Says
According to a BBC expert, Donald Trump's coercive diplomatic efforts in the Middle East left Arab leaders in stunned silence. The US president is attempting to broker peace after US and Israeli forces attacked Iran in late February, prompting Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz and trigger a global energy crisis. Trump is pressuring Arab countries, as well as Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords—normalizing relations with Israel—as part of the peace process. BBC State Department correspondent Tom Bateman reported that during a call, Trump demanded these nations join the Accords or risk exclusion from a new deal to reopen the Strait. Bateman described the response as stunned silence, with countries yet to formally respond. BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen characterized Trump's approach as 'fantasy deal-making.' The negotiations are currently focused on reopening the Strait and easing the energy crisis, deferring issues like Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Trump demands widespread sign-up to Abraham Accords as part of Iran peace deal
U.S. President Donald Trump on May 25, 2026, demanded that Muslim-majority nations across West Asia and beyond normalize relations with Israel as part of an emerging Iran peace deal. In a social media post, Trump listed countries he spoke with on May 23, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain. He stated that signing onto the Abraham Accords should be mandatory for all these countries simultaneously, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar expected to sign immediately. The Abraham Accords, brokered by Trump in 2020, normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and historically hostile countries but remain unpopular in parts of the region due to the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump warned that countries not signing would show 'bad intention' and should not be part of the deal.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Trump demands widespread sign-up to Abraham Accords as part of Iran peace deal
U.S. President Donald Trump on May 25, 2026, demanded that multiple Muslim-majority nations normalize relations with Israel by signing the Abraham Accords as a mandatory condition for an emerging Iran peace deal. In a social media post, Trump listed countries he discussed with on May 23, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, and Jordan, noting that the UAE and Bahrain are already members. He argued that most countries should be 'ready, willing, and able' to sign, and that failure to do so would show 'bad intention' and exclude them from the deal. The Abraham Accords, brokered by Trump in 2020, remain controversial in the region due to their lack of addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump emphasized that simultaneous signing would make the settlement with Iran a 'far more Historic Event.'
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Trump seeks Arab-Israeli peace deals after Iran war, report says
US President Donald Trump told a group of Arab and Muslim leaders during a joint call on Saturday that he wants their countries to join the Abraham Accords and sign peace treaties with Israel if an agreement is reached to end the war against Iran, according to a report by Israeli Channel 12. The report, citing two US officials familiar with the call, stated that Trump spoke with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain to discuss the expected agreement with Iran. Trump’s remarks during the call reportedly point to the next major step he wants to take in the Middle East after the war with Iran. The call signals a potential expansion of the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, contingent on a resolution to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Middle East MonitorTrump pushes Islamic nations to join Abraham Accords as part of Iran deal
After nearly four months of US-Iran conflict that paralyzed the Strait of Hormuz and caused a global energy crisis, the US and Iran may be nearing a deal. President Donald Trump has now linked the potential Iran agreement to a broader restructuring of West Asia, demanding that Arab and Muslim-majority nations recognize Israel and join the Abraham Accords. During a conference call with leaders from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain, Trump's proposal was met with silence. He also floated the idea of Iran joining the accords, which Tehran has vehemently rejected. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan currently lack formal ties with Israel. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, previously open to normalization, has grown skeptical due to the Gaza war and tensions with the UAE. The Abraham Accords, brokered during Trump's first term, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, breaking the longstanding Arab position of conditioning recognition on Palestinian statehood.
deccanheraldTrump pushes Muslim leaders to join Abraham Accords after war with Iran ends
US President Donald Trump held a conference call on May 23, 2026, with leaders of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain regarding an emerging deal to end the war with Iran. Trump urged them to normalize ties with Israel and join the Abraham Accords once the conflict concludes. Leaders expressed support for the deal and pledged to back Trump even if negotiations fail. However, leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan were reportedly surprised by the request, leading to a moment of silence on the call. Trump later posted on Truth Social thanking Middle Eastern countries and emphasizing that regional ties would be strengthened through more nations joining the Accords. He also instructed negotiators not to rush into a deal with Iran, stressing the need for both sides to take their time.
The Indian ExpressTrump pushes Muslim nations to normalize ties with Israel after Iran war
US President Donald Trump is urging leaders of several Arab and Muslim-majority countries to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel if a deal to end the Iran war is reached. According to Axios, citing US officials, the discussion took place during a conference call on Saturday with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain. Trump expressed hope that Israel would be included in regional talks and pushed for broader diplomatic recognition. Officials said leaders from countries without diplomatic ties with Israel, particularly Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan, were surprised by the request, with silence on the line prompting Trump to joke if they were still there. Trump later thanked the countries on Truth Social. Saudi Arabia has previously indicated openness but insists on progress toward a Palestinian state before any agreement.
The News International - latest newsTrump calls on several countries to normalize relations with Israel — Axios
On May 23, 2026, US President Donald Trump held a conference call with leaders of Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. According to Axios, citing two US officials, Trump urged countries not party to the Abraham Accords or without a peace treaty with Israel to normalize relations with Tel Aviv after the Iran conflict ends. Representatives of Qatar, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia were reportedly surprised by the request, leading to a moment of silence that Trump joked about. The US president noted that special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would address normalization in the coming weeks. Trump also suggested Iran might join the Abraham Accords in the future. The Abraham Accords, mediated by the US in 2020-2021, normalized relations between Israel and Bahrain, Morocco, the UAE, and Sudan.
TASSTrump Asks Arab, Muslim Leaders to Normalize Ties with Israel if Iran Deal Reached
US President Donald Trump reportedly asked leaders of several Arab and Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan, to normalize relations with Israel if a deal to end the war with Iran is reached. The request, made during a Saturday phone call, was met with silence from the leaders, according to Axios. Trump also suggested on social media that Iran could potentially join the Abraham Accords. The emerging deal has alarmed Israeli officials, who fear it does not address Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and could allow Tehran time for economic and military recovery. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that a nuclear deal cannot be rushed. Senator Lindsey Graham praised Trump's normalization request as 'brilliant' and threatened repercussions for countries that refuse.
The Times of Israel