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US President Donald Trump on Monday (May 25) urged Muslim-majority nations across the Middle East and beyond to normalise relations with Israel as part of the emerging Iran peace deal.

In a lengthy social media post, Trump listed countries whose leaders he spoke with on Saturday about efforts to end the war with Iran.

“After all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords.”

“Those Countries discussed are Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates (already a Member!), Qatar, Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain (already a Member!)”

The Abraham Accords are a set of agreements brokered under Trump in 2020 and widely heralded as a foreign policy success.

The Accords govern the normalisation of diplomatic relations between Israel and countries that have historically been hostile to it.

While they were welcomed in diplomatic circles as a step towards a more peaceful Middle East, they remain unpopular among the public in many parts of the region, not least because they do not tackle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"It may be possible that one or two have a reason for not doing so, and that will be accepted, but most should be ready, willing, and able to make this Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it would, otherwise, be," Trump wrote in his Truth Social post.

“It should start with the immediate signing by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and everybody else should follow suit. If they don't, they should not be part of this Deal in that it shows bad intention.”

Source: AFP

– Agencies

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday that conclusions have been reached on many topics discussed in a potential memorandum of understanding ⁠with the U.S., but this does not mean Tehran is close to signing an agreement.

The spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, added that Iran is negotiating ⁠an end to the war and is not currently discussing nuclear ⁠issues, and repeated that changes in the positions ⁠of U.S. officials create problems for any ⁠agreement.

Source: Reuters

– Agencies

A US agreement with Iran is not expected to be signed today, a senior administration official tells CNN. According to the official, details of the agreement are still being negotiated.

Iran has committed in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and dispose of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of the agreement with the United States, a separate administration official said.

How exactly the stockpile is disposed of remains to be negotiated, the official added, as does the length of a moratorium on future uranium enrichment.

Sanctions relief and unfreezing Iranian assets would follow only if the Strait reopens and Iran follows through on its commitments to negotiate curbs on its nuclear program, the official said.

The specific dollar amount that Iran would receive as part of the deal have yet to be negotiated, the official said.

This comes the day after President Donald Trump said that an agreement between the United States and Iran had been “largely negotiated,” signaling potential momentum toward ending the monthslong war.

It is still not certain if this draft will turn into a final agreement.

Source: CNN

– Agencies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly responded for the first time Sunday to reports of an emerging US-Iran agreement to end the war, stating that “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”

The message was posted on X alongside what appeared to be an AI-generated image of Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.

Trump and Netanyahu spoke on Saturday following reports of progress toward a US memorandum of understanding with Iran, amid Israeli concerns that a limited deal –that is focused on extending the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz would fail to address core issues for Israel, primarily Iran’s nuclear program and stockpile of enriched uranium.

According to an Israeli official, Trump reassured Netanyahu that he would “stand firm” in negotiations on his demand for the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of all enriched uranium from its territory, and would not sign a final agreement without these conditions being met.

Source: CNN

– Agencies

President Donald Trump said the United States will not “rush into a deal” with Iran, adding that the American blockade of Iranian ports will remain in “full force and effect” until an agreement is reached.

“The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side,” Trump wrote in a social media post Sunday morning. “Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes! Our relationship with Iran is becoming a much more professional and productive one.”

Trump reiterated that Iran must understand “that they cannot develop or procure a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb.”

The president yesterday said an agreement between the United States and Iran had been “largely negotiated” and that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, signaling potential momentum toward ending the monthslong war.

The deal is expected to unfold in two phases, a regional source with knowledge of the negotiations told CNN. In the first phase, Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-war status with shipping security in the region ensured, and provide assurances that it will not pursue nuclear weapons, the source said. Iran will also be allowed to resume the sale of fuel and oil.

The second phase, lasting 30-60 days, will focus on detailed negotiations over the nuclear issue and other, broader issues, the source said. 

Source: CNN

– Agencies