In a recent revelation, Donald Trump conveyed to Arab leaders during a leaked phone call that he would only consider a peace deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if they normalized relations with Israel.
The discussions transpired in a conference call involving the US president and influential Middle Eastern figures from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt. This meeting aimed to address the crucial matter of reopening the significant oil passageway.
Trump reportedly urged the leaders to establish normalized ties with Israel, leaving Arab leaders in a stunned silence, prompting no immediate response from them. The US president humorously remarked, “Are they still there?” after the prolonged pause.
Subsequently, Trump mentioned that his envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, would engage in discussions regarding Israel normalization in the upcoming weeks. Following this significant call, peace negotiations between the US and Iran faced a halt due to disagreements concerning Tehran’s uranium reserves and the release of Iranian assets.
As the discussions continued, Trump issued a fresh warning on his Truth Social platform, featuring a cartoon depiction of himself negotiating with a terrorist and cautioning about potential destructive actions. He emphasized that the outcome would either be a beneficial deal for all parties involved or no deal at all.
Although Trump expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations with Iran, he also warned that if an agreement was not reached, US forces would return to the battlefield with increased strength. Iran’s National Security Council promptly declared a stance of “no retreat” in the conflict with the US following Trump’s peace agreement push.
Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr emphasized the nation’s unwavering military resistance against the US, highlighting the need for unity amidst the ongoing tensions. The statement came after two senior Iranian officials traveled to Qatar to discuss a potential peace deal with the US, including negotiations on releasing frozen assets.
Trump also suggested that Iran’s involvement in the Abraham Accords, a set of agreements aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and various Arab nations, would be a significant development. He stressed the importance of all countries involved signing onto the Abraham Accords simultaneously to solidify the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the United States.