By Elsie Kamsiyochi
U.S. President Donald Trump has linked a possible peace agreement with Iran to a dramatic expansion of the Abraham Accords, signaling an ambitious diplomatic effort that could reshape political alliances across the Middle East.
In a statement released Monday, Trump said he has encouraged several countries—including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey—to join the Abraham Accords as part of a broader strategy tied to ongoing negotiations aimed at ending tensions with Iran.
The Abraham Accords, originally brokered during Trump’s first term in office, established diplomatic normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in 2020. Morocco and Sudan later followed, marking one of the most significant shifts in Middle Eastern diplomacy in decades.
Trump now appears to be pursuing an even more ambitious version of that vision. According to his comments, he held conversations over the weekend with leaders from several Middle Eastern and regional powers, including nations already participating in the accords, to discuss expanding the coalition if negotiations with Iran succeed.
In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump said he was “mandatorily requesting” that countries immediately sign onto the Abraham Accords, adding that Iran itself could potentially become part of the diplomatic framework if an agreement is reached with Washington. He described such a scenario as the formation of an “unparalleled world coalition,” emphasizing the extensive diplomatic work undertaken by the United States to bring competing interests together in an increasingly volatile region.
The proposal represents a bold and unconventional approach to diplomacy. Rather than treating Iran negotiations and Israeli-Arab normalization as separate issues, Trump appears to be tying the two together, suggesting that a future peace arrangement with Tehran could create momentum for wider regional reconciliation.
However, the idea has sparked mixed reactions from analysts and observers.
So far, there has been no immediate response from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Trump’s proposal. Likewise, governments mentioned in Trump’s remarks—including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan—have not publicly commented on the suggestion that they join the accords as part of a collective regional agreement.
Trump acknowledged that not every nation may be prepared to participate immediately, noting that “one or two” countries may have reasons to hesitate. Still, he said he believes most are “ready, willing, and able” to support a settlement that could transform the Iran conflict into what he described as a historic diplomatic breakthrough.
At the same time, Trump indicated that negotiations with Iran are progressing positively, though he stopped short of suggesting that a final agreement is close. He characterized talks as “proceeding nicely,” while providing few details about the substance or timeline of any potential deal.
Supporters of the approach argue that combining an Iran agreement with expanded normalization between Israel and Muslim-majority nations could fundamentally alter regional politics. Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally, praised the idea, calling the potential combination of an Iran deal and broader Abraham Accords participation “transformative” for both the Middle East and the wider world.
Critics, however, remain skeptical. Some foreign policy analysts argue that linking a fragile Iran negotiation to an already politically sensitive normalization process may create unrealistic expectations. Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, suggested Trump may be trying to frame an Iran agreement in terms that appeal to supporters of Israel and regional stability, while warning that the broader vision could prove difficult to sustain in practice.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized his desire to expand the Abraham Accords since returning to office. One of his longstanding diplomatic goals has been convincing Saudi Arabia—the region’s political and economic heavyweight—to formally recognize Israel. While optimism briefly grew after a ceasefire in Gaza last year, Riyadh has so far shown little indication that it is ready to move forward with normalization under current regional conditions.
Meanwhile, Egypt and Jordan—both countries mentioned in Trump’s latest outreach—already maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, having signed peace treaties decades ago.
Whether Trump’s latest initiative gains traction remains uncertain. But by linking peace talks with Iran to a sweeping expansion of the Abraham Accords, the administration is signaling an effort to pursue a far-reaching regional realignment—one that supporters see as historic, while critics question whether it is politically achievable in an already fragile Middle East landscape.
Source Reuters
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