Trump pushes expanded Abraham Accords as Iran peace plan sparks global debate

Washington: US President Donald Trump has urged a wider Middle East peace framework centred on the Abraham Accords, calling for multiple Muslim-majority countries to join a renewed diplomatic effort involving Israel and Iran.

In a lengthy post on social media, Trump said countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain were discussed during a recent conference call focused on ending the Iran conflict and expanding regional normalisation. The Abraham Accords, first brokered in 2020, established formal diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab states.

Trump argued that signing onto the accords should be a key condition of what he described as a broader “settlement” in the region, suggesting that even Iran could eventually be included. He said early signatories such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar should lead the process, warning that reluctance could indicate “bad intention”.

However, analysts remain sceptical about the prospects of rapid expansion. Some cited longstanding regional rivalries and unresolved tensions linked to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict as major obstacles, noting that public sentiment in several countries remains strongly opposed to normalisation without a clear pathway to a two-state solution.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously indicated that Riyadh could consider joining the accords only if there is credible progress towards a two-state solution. Meanwhile, US diplomatic messaging, including remarks from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has varied on the timing and feasibility of a breakthrough, even as talks with Iran continue through indirect channels.

Iranian officials, including chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have also signalled ongoing engagement in discussions hosted in Qatar, though Tehran has said no final agreement is currently within reach.