In a leaked phone call, former President Donald Trump conveyed to Arab leaders that a peace settlement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would only be considered if they normalized relations with Israel. The discussion occurred during a conference call involving influential Middle Eastern figures from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt. Trump urged the leaders to establish ties with Israel, leaving the Arab leaders momentarily speechless.
Subsequently, Trump humorously questioned their reaction with a remark about their presence before mentioning that his envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, would engage in discussions regarding Israel normalization in the upcoming weeks. Following the call, peace negotiations between the US and Iran encountered obstacles related to Tehran’s uranium reserves and the release of Iranian assets.
Despite ongoing negotiations, Trump issued a warning on his Truth Social platform, illustrating a scenario where he negotiates with a cartoon terrorist, emphasizing a readiness to take drastic action if needed. Maintaining a firm stance, Trump asserted that negotiations with Iran were progressing positively, highlighting the potential for a beneficial deal or a return to heightened tensions if no agreement is reached.
However, Iran’s National Security Council swiftly responded, emphasizing their commitment to resisting the US, with Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr stressing the importance of unity in the face of external pressure. In a separate development, two senior Iranian officials engaged in discussions with the Qatari Prime Minister, focusing on a potential peace agreement with the US and the release of frozen assets.
Trump emphasized the significance of Iran joining the Abraham Accords, a set of agreements promoting normalized relations between Israel and various Arab nations. He underscored the United States’ efforts to facilitate these accords and urged all involved parties to endorse them simultaneously.
