President Donald Trump has expressed significant reservations regarding a potential deal with Iran, linking its feasibility to the broader participation of key Middle Eastern nations in the Abraham Accords. Specifically, Trump stated that he is “not sure we should make the deal” with Iran if Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and “others” do not join the Abraham Accords. This statement, delivered through The Kobeissi Letter, indicates a strategic pivot where the normalization agreements championed by the Trump administration are now being framed as a prerequisite for any engagement on the Iran nuclear issue or related security arrangements.
The core of Trump’s assertion lies in the belief that these Arab nations “owe it to us.” This sentiment suggests a transactional approach to foreign policy, where the establishment of diplomatic ties and normalization with Israel, facilitated by the Abraham Accords, is seen as a form of debt or obligation that should be repaid through further cooperation, including on matters concerning Iran. The implication is that the United States, having brokered these accords, expects reciprocal actions and deeper integration of these states into a regional security framework that is aligned with American interests and priorities.
The Abraham Accords, officially signed in September 2020, normalized relations between Israel and four Arab nations: the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. Trump has consistently touted these agreements as a major diplomatic achievement of his presidency, arguing that they reshaped the Middle East by creating new alliances and paving the way for further regional stability and economic cooperation. The extension of these accords to include major regional players like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as suggested by Trump’s latest remarks, would represent a significant escalation and broadening of this diplomatic initiative.
Trump’s linkage of the Iran deal to the Abraham Accords signals a potential conditionality that could complicate existing diplomatic efforts. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, has been a point of contention between the United States and Iran, particularly after the Trump administration withdrew from the agreement in 2018. Current efforts to revive the deal have faced numerous hurdles, and Trump’s new condition introduces another layer of complexity. It suggests that any future administration seeking to re-engage with Iran on the nuclear issue would first need to secure a more robust and inclusive regional normalization framework.
The mention of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar is particularly noteworthy. These nations are significant economic and political powers in the region, and their full integration into a framework that includes Israel would indeed represent a monumental shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Saudi Arabia, in particular, has remained on the sidelines of the Abraham Accords, though there have been ongoing discussions and indications of potential future engagement. The UAE and Qatar, while having different diplomatic stances, are also crucial actors whose participation would lend substantial weight to the accords.
Trump’s emphasis on the nations “owing it to us” can be interpreted in several ways. It could refer to the perceived debt of gratitude for the U.S. facilitating the Abraham Accords. It might also allude to broader security assurances and strategic partnerships that the U.S. has provided to these countries over the years, implying that their cooperation on regional security issues, including Iran, is a natural extension of those existing relationships. This framing positions the U.S. as a central arbiter and facilitator of regional stability, expecting a commensurate return on its investment in diplomacy and security.
The broader context of this statement is the ongoing geopolitical competition in the Middle East, particularly concerning Iran’s regional influence and nuclear program. The Abraham Accords were partly seen as an effort to create a united front against Iran. Trump’s latest remarks suggest that this strategic objective remains a priority, and he is willing to leverage potential diplomatic breakthroughs, such as a deal with Iran, to achieve broader regional integration and normalization.
The implications for future negotiations are substantial. If President Trump’s stance becomes a guiding principle for U.S. foreign policy, any move towards a new agreement with Iran will be inextricably linked to the success and expansion of the Abraham Accords. This could either galvanize efforts to bring more Arab nations into the fold or create an impasse, depending on the willingness and ability of these countries to meet the U.S. demands. The statement underscores a vision of a Middle East where normalization and regional security are intertwined, with the U.S. playing a pivotal, and demanding, role.
Source: The Kobeissi Letter
The Kobeissi Letter: BREAKING: President Trump says he is “not sure we should make the deal” with Iran if Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and “others” do not join the Abraham Accords. President Trump says these countries “owe it to us.”. #breaking
— @KobeissiLetter May 1, 2026
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