President Donald Trump on Monday intensified pressure on Middle Eastern allies to join the Abraham Accords as negotiations between the United States and Iran continue over a possible extension of the regional ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The talks, which remain ongoing, are also reportedly laying the foundation for broader discussions involving Iran’s nuclear program and potential sanctions relief. Officials on both sides have cautioned that major details are still unresolved, underscoring the fragile nature of any potential agreement in a region long shaped by instability and conflict.
“Negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are proceeding nicely!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Monday. “It will only be a Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all — Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before — And nobody wants that!”
The president said he spoke over the weekend with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates as part of an effort to build broader regional support around the developing framework.
According to Trump, countries benefiting from American diplomatic efforts should also commit to formally recognizing Israel through the Abraham Accords, which were established during his first administration in 2020 to normalize relations between Israel and several Gulf nations.
“I stated 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,” Trump wrote, while acknowledging that both the UAE and Bahrain are already members.
The president added that exceptions could potentially be made for “one or two” countries but argued that most nations involved should be “ready, willing, and able” to participate.
“It may be possible that one or two have a reason for not doing so, and that will be accepted,” Trump wrote, “but most should be ready, willing, and able to make this Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it would, otherwise, be.”
In a Memorial Day message, Trump singled out Saudi Arabia and Qatar as countries he believes should join first, saying “everybody else should follow suit.”
“If they don’t, they should not be part of this Deal in that it shows bad intension,” he added.
Trump said Sunday that his administration would not “rush” into an agreement with Tehran, insisting that “time is on our side.” Still, reports surrounding the possible deal have sparked sharp criticism from some Republicans, who say portions of the emerging framework resemble the Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran.
The president responded forcefully to those critics over the weekend, targeting several Republicans he has publicly feuded with, including Sens. Thom Tillis and Bill Cassidy, along with Rep. Thomas Massie.
“I laugh at all of the Dumocrats, RINOS, and Fools who know nothing about the potential deal I am making with Iran,” Trump wrote online, while also criticizing lawmakers he accused of disloyalty.
Other Republicans, including Sens. Roger Wicker and Lindsey Graham, reportedly expressed skepticism about extending the ceasefire, warning it could ultimately weaken the United States.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s negotiations during remarks to reporters in India on Sunday.
“The idea that somehow this president — given everything he’s already proven he’s willing to do — is going to somehow agree to a deal that ultimately winds up putting Iran in a stronger position when it comes to nuclear ambitions is absurd,” Rubio said.
As negotiations continue, the debate inside the Republican Party reflects broader tensions over how the United States should approach another high-stakes confrontation in the Middle East — balancing diplomacy, military pressure and the fear that failed talks could once again pull the region closer to a wider war.
