In a leaked phone call, Donald Trump informed Arab leaders that he would only consider a peace deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if they normalized relations with Israel. The discussion took place during a conference call involving the US president and key Middle Eastern figures from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt to address the critical oil passageway’s reopening.
Reportedly, Trump urged the Arab leaders to establish normalized ties with Israel, which left them speechless, leading to a moment of silence. Following the pause, Trump humorously asked, “Are they still there?” He then mentioned that his envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff would engage in discussions regarding Israel normalization in the near future.
Subsequently, peace talks between the US and Iran stalled due to disagreements over Tehran’s uranium reserves and the release of Iranian assets. Trump issued a warning on his Truth Social platform, featuring a cartoon depiction of himself negotiating with a terrorist, emphasizing his willingness to take action if needed.
Although Trump expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations with Iran, he cautioned that the US forces would be prepared to return to a confrontational stance if a satisfactory agreement was not reached. Iranian officials, however, affirmed their commitment to the conflict with the US, emphasizing the need for unity and resilience against external pressures.
In another development, two senior Iranian representatives traveled to Doha to meet with the Qatari Prime Minister to discuss a potential peace deal with the US. Trump also highlighted the importance of Iran joining the Abraham Accords, a set of agreements aimed at normalizing diplomatic and economic ties between Israel and various Arab nations.
He stressed the significance of all countries involved in the negotiations signing onto the Abraham Accords simultaneously to advance regional stability.
