US President Donald Trump has publicly called on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to join the normalisation agreements with the Israeli occupation, known as the Abraham Accords.
Speaking during the Future Investment Initiative conference in Miami, Trump directly addressed the Saudi Crown Prince, stating that “the time has come” to move forward with normalisation. He argued that the justifications for delay were no longer valid following what he described as the “containment” of Iran.
Behind Closed Doors: Trump Reveals Prior Discussions
Trump disclosed details of his previous conversations with Mohammed bin Salman regarding normalisation, saying that the Crown Prince had previously indicated readiness contingent on certain developments.
“Mohammed would say, ‘Oh yes, once we do this, and once we do that,’” Trump stated.
He added that those conditions had now been met, claiming that Iran had been significantly weakened. “We have taken them largely out of the game, and now it is time to enter the Abraham Accords,” he said.
A “Historic Moment” for the Region
Trump suggested that the Middle East is approaching a defining moment that could lead to all regional countries joining the agreements, and potentially even states beyond the region.
He praised the countries that signed the accords during his first term, describing them as “brave” and asserting that they had reaped substantial economic benefits. According to Trump, these developments are part of what he framed as a “new Middle East” emerging after the decline of the Iranian threat.
Praise for Mohammed bin Salman
Following his political remarks, Trump turned to commend the Saudi Crown Prince, referring to him as “a great man” and “a great friend to all of us.”
He described Mohammed bin Salman as a “fighter” who did not hesitate to confront Iran despite threats, and as a “winner” deserving of his status. Trump also referred to him as a “future king” whom Saudi Arabia could be proud of.
Saudi Role Compared to NATO Allies
Trump contrasted Saudi Arabia’s position with that of US allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, expressing disappointment with NATO countries.
He stated that Saudi Arabia had been “extremely cooperative” in recent military operations, unlike some NATO members. He added that Saudi Arabia and Gulf states had endured “unexpected” missile attacks but remained resilient, proving themselves to be “brave” allies.
Strategic Partnership: Investment and Defence Deals
On the economic and military front, Trump highlighted what he described as the outcomes of the strategic partnership with Riyadh.
He pointed to potential Saudi investments in the United States nearing one trillion dollars, alongside what he called “the largest defence deal in American history,” valued at approximately 142 billion dollars. The agreement reportedly includes advanced military equipment, such as F-35 stealth fighter jets.
Relations with King Salman
Trump also spoke about his relationship with King Salman bin Abdulaziz, describing him as “a great man” and emphasising the “strong bond” formed since his first visit to the Kingdom.
He quoted King Salman as saying that the United States had transformed during Trump’s leadership from a “dead country” into one of the most attractive destinations for investment.
Positioning a “Peace Legacy”
Trump concluded by reaffirming his ambition to establish a legacy as a “great peacemaker,” positioning the Abraham Accords as a central pillar of that vision.
He framed the agreements as part of a broader strategy linking the reduction of the Iranian threat with the opening of new regional alliances.
