US President Donald Trump told the leaders of several Arab and Muslim countries in a Saturday phone call that he expects them to normalize relations with Israel if he reaches a deal to end the war with Iran, two US officials tell the Axios news site.
During a phone call, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain all told Trump “we are with you on this deal” that is emerging with Tehran, one of the officials say.
Another official with knowledge of the call says Trump told the leaders he would call Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next, and that he hoped he would join a group call with the Muslim and Arab leaders in the future.
Trump then said he wanted those countries that have yet to join the Abraham Accords to do so and normalize relations with Israel, the two officials say.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan have never established formal ties with Israel.
“There was silence on the line and Trump joked and asked if they are still there,” one of the officials tell Axios.
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