Trump pushes Arab states to normalise ties with Israel in exchange for Iran ceasefire

US President Donald Trump has told several Arab and Muslim leaders he expects them to normalise relations with Israel if a deal to end the war with Iran is reached, according to US officials cited by Axios.

The officials said Trump made the remarks during a phone call on Saturday with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain.

During the call, the leaders expressed support for the emerging agreement with Tehran.

One official said they told Trump “we are with you on this deal” currently taking shape.

Another official familiar with the conversation said Trump indicated he would next speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hoped to bring him into a future joint call with Arab and Muslim leaders.

Trump also pressed countries that have not yet joined the Abraham Accords to do so and establish formal ties with Israel, the officials said.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan do not have official diplomatic relations with Israel.

“There was silence on the line and Trump joked and asked if they are still there,” one of the officials told Axios.