Trump Ties Iran War Deal to 6-Nation Israel Recognition Push, Baffling Mideast
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 28
Trump Ties Iran War Deal to 6-Nation Israel Recognition Push, Baffling Mideast
6 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 28
Trump said a U.S.-brokered deal to end the war with Iran should require more Middle East and South Asian countries to join the Abraham Accords and recognize Israel.
Half the countries he cited — including Egypt, Jordan and Turkey — already have relations with Israel, while others such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan show no sign of recognizing it soon.
Regional reaction was largely silence and bemusement, with analysts calling the linkage "bizarre" and two Western diplomats saying the proposal was not being taken seriously.
The White House did not directly explain why ending a war launched after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 would spur recognition, instead pointing to Trump's remarks that any Iran deal could be made contingent on it.
Will forcing Israeli ties for Iran peace create a new Mideast alliance or ignite wider conflict?
With the global economy at risk, can Gulf nations afford to reject this peace ultimatum?