Trump links Iran deal to expansion of Abraham Accords, Pakistan rejects linkage

Former US President Donald Trump has proposed that any future agreement to resolve the conflict with Iran should also encompass a broader expansion of the Abraham Accords, the US-backed agreements aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations between Israel and Muslim-majority countries.

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I am mandatorily requesting that all countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords

Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that negotiations with Iran are "proceeding nicely" and described the Abraham Accords as a component of a larger regional settlement strategy. He "mandatorily requested" that all countries "immediately sign the Abraham Accords," suggesting that Iran would be honored to join this "unparalleled world coalition" if it signs an agreement with the United States.

Trump mentioned speaking with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan, as well as officials from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, who had previously signed the accords. The Abraham Accords, brokered by the Trump administration, led to the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Analysts note that public distrust toward Israel remains high in many Muslim-majority countries, particularly amid Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza. Saudi Arabia's position is especially sensitive, as the kingdom has consistently stated that normalization requires a clear roadmap toward Palestinian statehood.

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the Iran negotiations and the Abraham Accords “are not interlinked and cannot be made so.”

Pakistan quickly rejected the idea, with a source familiar with the discussions telling The Japan Times that the Iran negotiations and the Abraham Accords "are not interlinked and cannot be made so." The source added, "Pakistan is under no compulsion to adhere to any such demand." None of the other countries Trump mentioned had publicly responded as of Monday. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham supported Trump's proposal, arguing that linking Iran diplomacy with the Abraham Accords could foster economic integration and regional stability.

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Pakistan is under no compulsion to adhere to any such demand