President Donald Trump on Thursday (July 23) made Saudi Arabia's normalisation of ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords a condition for implementing a landmark civilian nuclear deal between Washington and Riyadh.&nbsp;The agreement to establish a civilian nuclear programme in Saudi Arabia "will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.&nbsp;The US president stressed that Saudi Arabia would not be permitted to enrich nuclear material under the agreement, which would be limited to non-military uses.&nbsp;“The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!) being made between the United States Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia, which pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE (and others) already have,” he said.&nbsp;The United States brokered the Abraham Accords during Trump's first term as part of efforts to strengthen ties between Israel and Arab countries.&nbsp;Saudi Arabia held tentative discussions on normalising relations with Israel in 2023. However, the kingdom halted the talks after the Gaza war began.&nbsp;Riyadh has maintained that it will not recognise Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-hit-with-1-billion-european-union-fine-what-lies-behind-brussels-massive-penalty-1784805494262">Google hit with $1 billion European Union fine: What lies behind Brussels' massive penalty?</a>&nbsp;Trump's remarks came a day after Washington and Riyadh announced a landmark agreement to create a civilian nuclear programme in Saudi Arabia. Critics, however, have raised concerns that the deal could open the way for uranium enrichment and trigger an atomic arms race.&nbsp;The development comes as the United States remains engaged in an escalating war with Iran that has spilt into wider parts of West Asia, including Saudi Arabia. The White House has repeatedly said the war aims to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran, however, has repeatedly maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for energy production.&nbsp;The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco have signed the Abraham Accords, establishing diplomatic, economic and security ties with Israel. Sudan is the fourth country involved in the agreement but has yet to formalise relations.&nbsp;Non-Arab Kazakhstan, which already recognises Israel, agreed to join the Abraham Accords last November.

Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia must recognise Israel and join the Abraham Accords, a US-brokered agreement aimed at establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab countries, to secure a landmark civilian nuclear deal with the United States.

President Donald Trump on Thursday (July 23) made Saudi Arabia's normalisation of ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords a condition for implementing a landmark civilian nuclear deal between Washington and Riyadh. The agreement to establish a civilian nuclear programme in Saudi Arabia "will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. The US president stressed that Saudi Arabia would not be permitted to enrich nuclear material under the agreement, which would be limited to non-military uses. “The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!) being made between the United States Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia, which pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE (and others) already have,” he said. The United States brokered the Abraham Accords during Trump's first term as part of efforts to strengthen ties between Israel and Arab countries. Saudi Arabia held tentative discussions on normalising relations with Israel in 2023. However, the kingdom halted the talks after the Gaza war began. Riyadh has maintained that it will not recognise Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Also Read: Google hit with $1 billion European Union fine: What lies behind Brussels' massive penalty? Trump's remarks came a day after Washington and Riyadh announced a landmark agreement to create a civilian nuclear programme in Saudi Arabia. Critics, however, have raised concerns that the deal could open the way for uranium enrichment and trigger an atomic arms race. The development comes as the United States remains engaged in an escalating war with Iran that has spilt into wider parts of West Asia, including Saudi Arabia. The White House has repeatedly said the war aims to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran, however, has repeatedly maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for energy production. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco have signed the Abraham Accords, establishing diplomatic, economic and security ties with Israel. Sudan is the fourth country involved in the agreement but has yet to formalise relations. Non-Arab Kazakhstan, which already recognises Israel, agreed to join the Abraham Accords last November.

Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia must recognise Israel and join the Abraham Accords, a US-brokered agreement aimed at establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab countries, to secure a landmark civilian nuclear deal with the United States.

Saudi Arabia must join Abraham Accords to normalise ties with Israel for nuclear deal with US: Trump

Pakistan is in a fix as US President Donald Trump said that Gulf nations including Pakistan will have to normalise ties with Israel before any peace deal between America and Iran. While Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif firmly rejected Trump’s push for the Abraham Accords stating that the ideologies of the two countries are completely different, there has been no official statement on the same by the Pakistani government or its foreign affairs ministry. Asif in his rejection highlighted an important part about the country’s existing passport policy. He stated that Pakistan has a clear position of not recognising Israel, reflected in its travel documents.&nbsp;<h2>Why Pakistan will be required to change its passport?</h2>The minister was actually pointing out to the fact that Pakistan is the only country whose passports explicitly do not mention Israel as a valid destination. Each Pakistani passport includes a line stating that it is valid for all countries except Israel. If Pakistan were to join the Abraham Accords and establish diplomatic relations with Israel, this policy would have to change. Normalisation under the accords typically involves recognition of Israel, opening of embassies or consulates, as well as trade, travel, and visa agreements. In such a scenario, the existing restriction in Pakistani passports would no longer be valid. At present, the wording on the passport creates a clear contradiction—on one hand, diplomatic recognition would imply formal ties, while on the other, the passport restricts citizens from travelling to Israel. Removing or revising this clause would therefore become necessary if Pakistan shifts its foreign policy stance. Roughly, 10–15 percent of population holds an active passport in Pakistan. The cost of renew of all it would be huge.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/did-asim-munir-agree-to-israel-ties-before-trump-without-pak-pm-s-knowledge-what-is-pakistan-s-position-on-israel-1779762349252">Trump, Asim Munir and Abraham Accords</a>&nbsp;However, it must be noted that Bangladesh previously included the same restriction in its passports after independence. In 2020, the government removed the “except Israel” clause, although officials maintained that the policy on Israel remained unchanged. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-reportedly-asks-gulf-leaders-to-normalise-ties-with-israel-sign-abraham-accords-what-is-it-wion-decodes-1779687672311">Trump reportedly asks Gulf leaders to normalise ties with Israel</a><h2>What Pakistan said on Trump's offer to normalise ties with Israel</h2>Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif rejected the idea saying it would be clash of “fundamental ideologies.” “How will you sit down with those people whose word cannot be trusted even for a single day?” Asif said, adding that Pakistani passports do not even include Israel’s name. In January 2026, when Pakistan joined Trump's Gaza Board of Peace, Pakistan “categorically ruled out” becoming a party to the Abraham Accords. The Pakistan Foreign Office said that Board of Peace and Abraham Accords should not be linked. Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that it was a “misconception" relating the two.“Joining the Board of Peace has no connection with the Abraham Accords and does not represent any deviation from Pakistan’s principled position on Palestine,” Andrabi said.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/abraham-accords-will-pakistan-move-toward-normalising-ties-with-israel-1779787864628/amp/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/abraham-accords-will-pakistan-move-toward-normalising-ties-with-israel-1779787864628/amp/embed</a>&nbsp;<h2>What Trump said and what is Abraham Accords</h2>Trump said that six Muslim-majority countries must join the Abraham Accords ahead of any deal between the US and Iran to end the war. Announced during the first term of Donald Trump, the Abraham Accords is an agreement under which diplomatic relationship is established between Israel and several Arab states, on the mediation of the United States. Trump said that expansion of the accords “should start with the immediate signing by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and everybody else should follow suit.” He added that during discussions with leaders of Muslim and Arab states, he told them that “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.”

Pakistan’s rejection of Trump’s Abraham Accords highlights its passport policy, which excludes Israel as a travel destination. If Islamabad normalises ties with Israel, it would need to change its passports, open diplomatic relations, and remove existing travel restrictions.

Pakistan is in a fix as US President Donald Trump said that Gulf nations including Pakistan will have to normalise ties with Israel before any peace deal between America and Iran. While Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif firmly rejected Trump’s push for the Abraham Accords stating that the ideologies of the two countries are completely different, there has been no official statement on the same by the Pakistani government or its foreign affairs ministry. Asif in his rejection highlighted an important part about the country’s existing passport policy. He stated that Pakistan has a clear position of not recognising Israel, reflected in its travel documents. Why Pakistan will be required to change its passport? The minister was actually pointing out to the fact that Pakistan is the only country whose passports explicitly do not mention Israel as a valid destination. Each Pakistani passport includes a line stating that it is valid for all countries except Israel. If Pakistan were to join the Abraham Accords and establish diplomatic relations with Israel, this policy would have to change. Normalisation under the accords typically involves recognition of Israel, opening of embassies or consulates, as well as trade, travel, and visa agreements. In such a scenario, the existing restriction in Pakistani passports would no longer be valid. At present, the wording on the passport creates a clear contradiction—on one hand, diplomatic recognition would imply formal ties, while on the other, the passport restricts citizens from travelling to Israel. Removing or revising this clause would therefore become necessary if Pakistan shifts its foreign policy stance. Roughly, 10–15 percent of population holds an active passport in Pakistan. The cost of renew of all it would be huge. Also Read: Trump, Asim Munir and Abraham Accords However, it must be noted that Bangladesh previously included the same restriction in its passports after independence. In 2020, the government removed the “except Israel” clause, although officials maintained that the policy on Israel remained unchanged. Also Read: Trump reportedly asks Gulf leaders to normalise ties with Israel What Pakistan said on Trump's offer to normalise ties with Israel Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif rejected the idea saying it would be clash of “fundamental ideologies.” “How will you sit down with those people whose word cannot be trusted even for a single day?” Asif said, adding that Pakistani passports do not even include Israel’s name. In January 2026, when Pakistan joined Trump's Gaza Board of Peace, Pakistan “categorically ruled out” becoming a party to the Abraham Accords. The Pakistan Foreign Office said that Board of Peace and Abraham Accords should not be linked. Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that it was a “misconception" relating the two.“Joining the Board of Peace has no connection with the Abraham Accords and does not represent any deviation from Pakistan’s principled position on Palestine,” Andrabi said. https://www.wionews.com/videos/abraham-accords-will-pakistan-move-toward-normalising-ties-with-israel-1779787864628/amp/embed What Trump said and what is Abraham Accords Trump said that six Muslim-majority countries must join the Abraham Accords ahead of any deal between the US and Iran to end the war. Announced during the first term of Donald Trump, the Abraham Accords is an agreement under which diplomatic relationship is established between Israel and several Arab states, on the mediation of the United States. Trump said that expansion of the accords “should start with the immediate signing by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and everybody else should follow suit.” He added that during discussions with leaders of Muslim and Arab states, he told them that “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.”

Pakistan’s rejection of Trump’s Abraham Accords highlights its passport policy, which excludes Israel as a travel destination. If Islamabad normalises ties with Israel, it would need to change its passports, open diplomatic relations, and remove existing travel restrictions.

What is Pakistan’s 'except Israel' passport rule in spotlight amid Trump’s Israel recognition call?

US Senator Lindsey Graham has publicly questioned Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator in the ongoing Iran-Israel crisis, citing what he described as Islamabad’s longstanding hostility toward Israel and its close ties with Tehran. In a post on X, Graham said it had become ‘apparent’ to him that Pakistan acting as a mediator was 'more than problematic', pointing to reports of Iranian military aircraft allegedly being housed on Pakistani air bases and recalling anti-Israel remarks made by senior Pakistani officials.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a post on X, he wrote, “It has been apparent to me for quite a while that Pakistan as a mediator is more than problematic. Their animosity towards Israel is long-standing. It is undeniable that Iranian military aircraft are being housed on Pakistani air bases and past rhetoric from the highest Pakistani officials against Israel is disturbing. As to the defense minister’s comments about the Abraham Accords, saying that Pakistan would never join because they don’t trust Israel: The clip may be a year old, but I fear the sentiment is fresh. In that regard, it is imperative that Pakistan give an answer now to President Trump’s call to join the Abraham Accords.”&nbsp;The Republican senator also referenced past comments by Pakistan’s defence minister regarding the Abraham Accords, in which he reportedly said Pakistan would never join the normalisation framework because it does not trust Israel. “The clip may be a year old, but I fear the sentiment is fresh,” Graham wrote, before urging Pakistan to respond to President Donald Trump’s recent call for more Muslim-majority nations to join the Abraham Accords.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-attacks-fake-news-media-and-democrats-says-dumacrats-and-media-have-totally-lost-their-way-1779828272975">Trump attacks 'fake news media' and Democrats, says ‘Dumacrats and media have totally lost their way’</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It has been apparent to me for quite a while that Pakistan as a mediator is more than problematic. Their animosity towards Israel is long standing. It is undeniable that Iranian military aircraft are being housed on Pakistani air bases and past rhetoric from the highest… <a href="https://t.co/ksLqpw4ZQ4">https://t.co/ksLqpw4ZQ4</a>&mdash; Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/2059381840742699270?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Trump has in recent days intensified efforts to expand the Abraham Accords as part of a broader diplomatic push linked to a potential US-Iran agreement and post-war regional settlement. Reports suggest the US president has urged countries including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey to consider normalization with Israel. The remarks come at a sensitive moment in Middle East diplomacy, with Washington attempting to balance ceasefire negotiations with Iran while simultaneously encouraging regional recognition of Israel. Graham, one of Trump’s closest allies on foreign policy, has emerged as a vocal supporter of tying any future Iran agreement to a wider expansion of the Abraham Accords.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nigeria-twin-attacks-in-kwara-state-at-least-10-abducted-by-bandits-1779803190325/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nigeria-twin-attacks-in-kwara-state-at-least-10-abducted-by-bandits-1779803190325/embed</a>&nbsp;Pakistan has historically refused to recognize Israel, maintaining that normalization cannot happen without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Islamabad has also repeatedly condemned Israeli military operations in Gaza and maintained diplomatic support for Iran during recent regional tensions. Graham’s comments are likely to further complicate Pakistan’s attempts to position itself as a diplomatic bridge in the ongoing crisis, particularly as Islamabad has recently engaged in ceasefire and backchannel diplomacy involving Tehran and Washington.

US Senator Lindsey Graham questioned Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the Iran-Israel conflict and urged Islamabad to respond to Donald Trump’s push for joining the Abraham Accords

US Senator Lindsey Graham has publicly questioned Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator in the ongoing Iran-Israel crisis, citing what he described as Islamabad’s longstanding hostility toward Israel and its close ties with Tehran. In a post on X, Graham said it had become ‘apparent’ to him that Pakistan acting as a mediator was 'more than problematic', pointing to reports of Iranian military aircraft allegedly being housed on Pakistani air bases and recalling anti-Israel remarks made by senior Pakistani officials. In a post on X, he wrote, “It has been apparent to me for quite a while that Pakistan as a mediator is more than problematic. Their animosity towards Israel is long-standing. It is undeniable that Iranian military aircraft are being housed on Pakistani air bases and past rhetoric from the highest Pakistani officials against Israel is disturbing. As to the defense minister’s comments about the Abraham Accords, saying that Pakistan would never join because they don’t trust Israel: The clip may be a year old, but I fear the sentiment is fresh. In that regard, it is imperative that Pakistan give an answer now to President Trump’s call to join the Abraham Accords.” The Republican senator also referenced past comments by Pakistan’s defence minister regarding the Abraham Accords, in which he reportedly said Pakistan would never join the normalisation framework because it does not trust Israel. “The clip may be a year old, but I fear the sentiment is fresh,” Graham wrote, before urging Pakistan to respond to President Donald Trump’s recent call for more Muslim-majority nations to join the Abraham Accords. Also Read: Trump attacks 'fake news media' and Democrats, says ‘Dumacrats and media have totally lost their way’

Senator Lindsey Graham questioned Pakistan’s neutrality and urged Islamabad to answer Trump’s call to join the Abraham Accords

‘Pakistan must answer now’: Lindsey Graham questions Islamabad's role as mediator, backs Trump’s Abraham Accords push

US President Donald Trump has urged several Muslim-majority countries to join the Abraham Accords as part of a broader attempt to reshape regional alignments alongside negotiations with Iran. The proposal, however, comes at a moment of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with analysts warning that the diplomatic opening is unlikely to succeed under current conditions. Trump named Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan as potential entrants in a post on Truth Social following a conference call with leaders from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE. Pakistan has already rejected the proposal. None of the other countries has so far publicly reacted to Trump’s demand, and analysts say a positive response is unlikely given the prevailing public mistrust of Israel across several Muslim-majority states, driven by anger over the scale of its military offensive in Gaza.&nbsp;<h2>What the Abraham Accords established</h2>&nbsp;The Abraham Accords were first brokered during Trump’s first term to normalise relations between Israel and Arab states. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco signed agreements establishing diplomatic, economic and security ties with Israel, while Sudan has not yet fully formalised relations. The initiative has since expanded cautiously, including Kazakhstan’s agreement last November, despite it already recognising Israel independently.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-are-the-abraham-accords-the-countries-that-joined-those-that-refused-and-why-they-matter-today-1779792559008">What are Abraham Accords? The countries that joined, those that refused and why they matter today</a>&nbsp;

Trump Revives Focus on Abraham Accords

&nbsp;<h2>Why the expansion push is facing resistance</h2>Experts say current regional conditions make further signatories unlikely. Arab public opinion towards Israel has hardened significantly during the Gaza conflict, where more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, according to Gaza health authorities cited by AFP. HA Hellyer of the Royal United Services Institute told AFP that the political cost for states would be “prohibitive”, pointing to ongoing conflict dynamics including Gaza, West Bank tensions, and Israeli military presence in neighbouring territories. He added that regional governments face limited space to move toward normalisation. Trump’s statement reflected an attempt to use Iran ceasefire diplomacy for a wider push around the Abraham Accords, a Pakistani source familiar with the matter told Reuters. He also said the two issues were “not interlinked and cannot be made so", adding, “Pakistan is under no compulsion to adhere to any such demand.”&nbsp;<h2>Saudi Arabia and key regional positions</h2>&nbsp;Saudi Arabia, once engaged in tentative talks on normalisation, suspended discussions after the outbreak of war. It has since stated it will not recognise Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state. Yossi Mekelberg of Chatham House told AFP the proposal is “no more than a sweetener for Israel” and questioned why states would ‘reward’ Israeli leadership amid ongoing regional devastation. Former US diplomat Barbara Leaf also said she does not expect any immediate movement toward normalisation among Arab or Muslim states involved in recent discussions.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-nearing-80-to-undergo-annual-physical-as-health-scrutiny-intensifies-1779802619803">Trump takes annual physical just days before 80th birthday as health questions mount</a>&nbsp;Following his call with regional leaders, Trump wrote on Truth Social that all eight countries should join the accords, calling for ‘immediate signing’ and describing it as a document that would be “respected like no other that has ever been signed”.&nbsp;“I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, ⁠if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be ​part of this unparalleled World Coalition.”&nbsp;<h2>What is driving the push</h2>&nbsp;Analysts suggest the announcement may be aimed at strengthening support for Israel during parallel negotiations with Iran. Abdulla Banndar Al-Etaibi of Qatar University said it could be an attempt to show that “war, pressure, and escalation have produced political gains worth building upon”. Others argue it may serve a domestic political purpose by presenting a narrative of diplomatic progress. Hellyer added that the debate reflects a broader disconnect between Washington’s policy thinking and regional realities. Despite renewed attention, experts broadly agree that the conditions required for an expanded Abraham Accords framework do not currently exist, leaving the initiative politically visible but diplomatically stalled.

Pakistan has already rejected the proposal. None of the other countries has so far publicly reacted to Trump’s demand, and analysts say a positive response is unlikely given the prevailing public mistrust of Israel across several Muslim-majority states.

US President Donald Trump has urged several Muslim-majority countries to join the Abraham Accords as part of a broader attempt to reshape regional alignments alongside negotiations with Iran. The proposal, however, comes at a moment of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with analysts warning that the diplomatic opening is unlikely to succeed under current conditions. Trump named Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan as potential entrants in a post on Truth Social following a conference call with leaders from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE. Pakistan has already rejected the proposal. None of the other countries has so far publicly reacted to Trump’s demand, and analysts say a positive response is unlikely given the prevailing public mistrust of Israel across several Muslim-majority states, driven by anger over the scale of its military offensive in Gaza. What the Abraham Accords established The Abraham Accords were first brokered during Trump’s first term to normalise relations between Israel and Arab states. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco signed agreements establishing diplomatic, economic and security ties with Israel, while Sudan has not yet fully formalised relations. The initiative has since expanded cautiously, including Kazakhstan’s agreement last November, despite it already recognising Israel independently. ALSO READ: What are Abraham Accords? The countries that joined, those that refused and why they matter today

Pakistan has already rejected the proposal. None of the other countries has so far publicly reacted to Trump’s demand, and analysts say a positive response is unlikely given the prevailing public mistrust of Israel across several Muslim-majority states.

Why Trump’s Abraham Accords push is a non-starter and what’s driving it?

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Why Pakistan may have to change its passports if it recognises Israel

Graham questions Pakistan's role as mediator, backs Trump’s Abraham Accords push

Why Trump’s Abraham Accords push is a non-starter and what’s driving it?