In a statement that signals a dramatic shift in Washington’s approach to Iran after years of hostility and confrontation, US President Donald Trump on Thursday revealed the possibility of Iran’s participation in the regional peace process currently being pursued by the United States.
According to Fox News, Trump said the United States is “getting close to achieving peace in the Middle East,” adding:
“We will have peace, and by the way, I believe Iran will actually be part of the entire peace process.”
This unexpected remark came shortly after the announcement of a US-brokered peace agreement between the Israeli occupation and Hamas, with the participation of several Arab and regional mediators. Trump’s reference to Iran’s potential “involvement” sparked widespread speculation over whether Washington is seeking to open indirect communication channels with Tehran — particularly given the repeated tensions in the Gulf and the unresolved nuclear issues.
From Confrontation to Possible Engagement
Only a few months ago, Israel and Iran had engaged in a limited military confrontation lasting 12 days before Trump announced a ceasefire. His latest statements now mark a striking contrast to the previous tone of escalation that defined US-Iran relations for nearly two decades.
Commenting on the latest peace developments, Trump said he had recently spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the announcement of the Israel-Hamas agreement.
“I just spoke with Bibi Netanyahu,” Trump said. “He told me, ‘I can’t believe everyone loves me now.’ And I said to him, ‘What matters more is that they love Israel again — and indeed, they do.’”
The conversation underscored how Trump views his administration’s mediation efforts not only as a diplomatic breakthrough but also as a means to restore Israel’s standing — a perception long damaged by the Gaza war and global condemnation of Israeli aggression.
Iran and the Abraham Accords — A Possible Extension
Observers recalled that Trump had predicted in September last year that Iran could eventually join the Abraham Accords, the normalisation agreements signed during his first term between Israel and several Arab states. That prediction, once dismissed as unrealistic, now appears to be resurfacing within Washington’s evolving strategy for the region.
The new developments come in the wake of Hamas’ announcement that it had signed an agreement to end the war in Gaza and exchange prisoners, forming the first phase of a US-sponsored peace plan.
Trump confirmed that the plan includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces to an agreed line as an initial step in implementing the deal. He also stated that the release of Israeli captives would take place “very soon,” assuring that the process “will ensure fair treatment for all parties.”
Regional Mediation and Implementation Mechanisms
Meanwhile, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari announced that regional mediators had reached understandings on the implementation mechanisms of the agreement. The deal reportedly covers a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s Channel 12 quoted official sources saying that the signing would take place on Thursday, with the first prisoner releases expected between Saturday and Sunday. Netanyahu also confirmed he would convene a government session to ratify the agreement, describing it as one that “paves the way to ending the Gaza war and bringing our captives home.”
Implications of Trump’s Statement
Trump’s reference to Iran’s possible inclusion in the peace process hints at a strategic recalibration of US policy in the Middle East. It suggests that Washington may be exploring a pragmatic framework involving adversaries and allies alike to secure stability — especially after the political and moral backlash the West has faced over its stance on the Gaza conflict.
If actualised, such a move could mark the most significant diplomatic reversal in US-Iran relations since the 1979 revolution — signalling not only a shift in Washington’s foreign policy priorities but also a broader recognition that peace in the region cannot exclude one of its most influential players.
