President Donald Trump has said any potential peace agreement with Iran should include commitments from multiple Middle Eastern and Muslim-majority countries to join the Abraham Accords, a set of U.S.-brokered diplomatic agreements aimed at normalizing relations with Israel.
In comments posted Monday on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had raised the issue directly with regional leaders and described participation in the accords as a requirement rather than an option. The proposal adds a new layer to already complex negotiations with Iran and has drawn mixed reactions from analysts and political figures.
The Abraham Accords were first signed in 2020 during Trump’s first term and marked a significant shift in Middle East diplomacy. Trump is now seeking to revive and expand them as part of an effort to frame a broader regional settlement alongside talks with Tehran.
Trump’s Proposal
In his social media post, Trump said countries benefiting from U.S. diplomatic efforts should be expected to formally recognize Israel.
“After all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords,” Trump wrote.
He listed Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain. The UAE and Bahrain are already signatories, having joined the accords in 2020. Egypt and Jordan recognized Israel decades earlier through separate peace treaties.
Trump added that countries unwilling to sign should be excluded from any broader agreement with Iran, saying refusal would demonstrate “bad intention.”
Background on the Accords
The Abraham Accords were initially signed by Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain in September 2020, breaking with a long-standing regional norm that linked recognition of Israel to progress on Palestinian statehood. Morocco and Sudan later joined, and Kazakhstan signed on more recently.
Trump has argued that countries participating in the accords have benefited economically and politically. In his post, he claimed the agreements had delivered a “financial, economic, and social boom,” though independent assessments of their economic impact vary by country.
The accords aim to promote diplomatic ties, trade, security cooperation, and cultural exchange between Israel and participating nations.
Likely Resistance
Despite Trump’s assertions, several countries on his list are considered unlikely to join under current conditions.
Pakistan has already rejected the idea, reiterating its long-standing position that it will not recognize Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Analysts say this stance remains firmly rooted in domestic politics and public opinion.
Saudi Arabia has also linked normalization with Israel to progress toward a two-state solution. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Trump in late 2025 that the kingdom was open to joining the accords if there were a clear and credible path toward Palestinian statehood.
Public sentiment across much of the Muslim world has hardened against Israel following its military campaign in Gaza. That has made overt normalization politically sensitive, even in countries that already maintain quiet security or economic ties with Israel.
Israel has not publicly commented on Trump’s latest proposal.
Reactions and Analysis
Some commentators view Trump’s push as an attempt to make a potential Iran deal more acceptable to domestic critics who favor a tougher approach toward Tehran. Others argue the proposal risks complicating negotiations by tying them to unrelated diplomatic goals.
Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, said Trump appeared to be repackaging the Iran talks as an extension of the Abraham Accords.
“He is trying to sell an Iran deal as an Abraham Accords sequel: good for Israel, good for the region, tough enough for Washington,” Vaez said. “But he is trading one fantasy for another.”
Trump initially said earlier this week that a peace agreement with Iran was “largely negotiated,” but he later tempered expectations, saying the United States was “in no rush” to finalize a deal.
Domestic Political Pressure
Trump’s announcement came on Memorial Day, as he faced criticism from members of his own party who argue that any deal with Iran could embolden Tehran militarily and economically.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a long-time advocate of a hard line against Iran, previously warned that allowing Iran to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz would destabilize the region and pose serious risks to Israel.
However, Graham later praised Trump’s Abraham Accords proposal, calling it a “brilliant” idea that could strengthen Israel’s position while reshaping regional alliances.
Whether Trump’s strategy will ease opposition within his party remains uncertain, particularly as the conflict with Iran has proven unpopular among U.S. voters concerned about economic consequences.
Uncertain Path Forward
It is unclear how Trump’s demand will affect ongoing talks with Iran or whether regional countries will respond publicly in the coming days. Diplomats note that expanding the Abraham Accords has long been a U.S. goal, but linking them directly to an Iran peace plan introduces new diplomatic risks.
For now, the proposal highlights Trump’s effort to reshape Middle East diplomacy by tying together security, normalization with Israel, and negotiations with Iran into a single framework.
FAQs
What is Trump demanding in the Iran peace plan?
He wants multiple countries to join the Abraham Accords.
What are the Abraham Accords?
They are agreements to normalize relations with Israel.
Which countries already joined the accords?
The UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and Kazakhstan.
Why might countries resist joining?
Public opposition and lack of progress on Palestinian statehood.
Is the Iran deal finalized?
No, Trump says talks are ongoing and not urgent.
