Trump links Iran deal to Abraham Accords, says Gulf Nations “Owe” US agreement
US President Donald Trump has suggested that a potential agreement with Iran may be linked to broader regional diplomatic alignment under the Abraham Accords, stating that Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar “owe” the United States participation in the framework.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting, Trump said he was “not sure” the US should proceed with an Iran deal unless more countries join the Abraham Accords, which aim to normalise relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority nations.
“I am not sure we should make the deal if they don’t sign. I think they owe that to us,” Trump said, referring to Gulf nations and their expected role in regional normalisation efforts.
His remarks come amid ongoing but disputed reports of a tentative memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran. Iranian state media had suggested progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing shipping restrictions, but US officials have dismissed those claims as false.
The Abraham Accords, first brokered during Trump’s earlier term, are a set of agreements designed to establish diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation between Israel and Arab states. Trump has repeatedly pushed for additional countries, including Pakistan and Gulf nations, to join the framework as part of a broader Middle East peace strategy.
Trump also reiterated that he is not willing to be rushed into any agreement with Iran, saying that time is not a constraint for his administration. He warned that Iran’s strategy of delaying negotiations would not succeed and indicated that military options remain on the table if a deal does not meet US expectations.
On the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump asserted that the waterway would remain open and international, rejecting any suggestion of Iranian control. He also said the United States would ensure security in the region if required.
“We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be. Either that, or we’ll have to finish the job,” he said, underscoring the administration’s hardline stance.
The developments come amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with overlapping diplomatic talks, military activity, and competing claims over ceasefire and shipping arrangements in the region.
