The centerpiece of the discussions revolved around Saudi Arabia’s potential entry into the Abraham Accords. Prince Mohammed expressed Riyadh’s openness to joining the normalization framework, but with a crucial stipulation: the establishment of a viable path toward a Palestinian state. He articulated this position, stating, “We believe having a good relation with all Middle Eastern countries is a good thing, and we want to be part of the Abraham Accords. But we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path (to a) two-state solution.”

Both leaders engaged in what was described as a “healthy discussion” on laying the groundwork for achieving this objective promptly. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s longstanding commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative. Previous confirmations from President Trump indicated “good talks” on the matter, exploring both one-state and two-state solutions.

Beyond the diplomatic front, significant progress was made on defense cooperation. A defense pact between the US and Saudi Arabia was largely finalized, with Trump indicating approval for F-35 fighter jets to be supplied to the kingdom. He emphasized that these aircraft would not be downgraded, a move that could potentially impact Israel’s military edge, a long-standing US policy consideration.

Discussions also addressed regional security, particularly concerning Iran. While President Trump alluded to past US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, he also conveyed an openness to diplomatic channels, stating, “I am totally open to it, and we are talking to them.” Prince Salman affirmed Saudi Arabia’s willingness to assist in facilitating any potential US-Iran agreement.

Economic ties were also a major focus, with Saudi Arabia pledging substantial investments in the US economy, estimated to reach hundreds of billions of dollars, with a potential to climb to a trillion. Prince Mohammed highlighted the burgeoning opportunities in sectors like AI and rare materials, emphasizing the significant economic impact of these agreements.

The high-level meeting underscored Saudi Arabia’s readiness to normalize relations with Israel, contingent upon concrete progress toward a two-state solution for Palestinians. Defense, Iran, and economic cooperation appear to be secondary to this overarching condition.

A key focus of the discussions was the potential sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Trump indicated his support for the deal, stating that any Israeli concerns about maintaining military superiority would be addressed. This comes as Israel has signaled openness to the sale, contingent on Saudi Arabia normalizing relations under the Abraham Accords. Crown Prince Mohammed reiterated Saudi Arabia’s desire to join the accords but stressed the necessity of a clear roadmap towards a two-state solution for Palestinians. Discussions also touched upon broader security agreements, including progress on civilian nuclear cooperation.

The visit occurred amid lingering controversy surrounding the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, with U.S. intelligence linking Crown Prince Mohammed to the incident. Trump downplayed the issue, characterizing Khashoggi as controversial and asserting that the Crown Prince had no knowledge of the event. Prince Mohammed acknowledged the incident as painful for Saudi Arabia and assured that investigations and reforms had been implemented to prevent future occurrences. Trump also briefly mentioned Saudi Arabia’s human rights reforms, including women’s rights initiatives.

The two leaders displayed evident personal camaraderie, with Trump greeting the Crown Prince warmly and guiding him through the White House. This display of friendship was further underscored by Trump’s comments contrasting his engagement with a previous fist bump by former President Biden. Economically, the visit yielded significant promises, with Saudi Arabia pledging to increase its financial commitments to the U.S. from $600 billion to $1 trillion. These investments are slated for sectors like artificial intelligence and major joint projects, setting an ambitious tone for future bilateral relations.

During his visit, the Saudi Crown Prince is expected to seek firm US security guarantees and the acquisition of the sophisticated F-35 aircraft. The US administration is carefully balancing these demands with its commitment to maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge, a factor essential for President Trump’s Middle East peace initiatives. Previous concerns over technology compromise, which affected potential sales to the UAE, resurface with this deal, particularly given increasing Saudi-China cooperation.

Despite China’s growing economic ties with Riyadh, the US remains the kingdom’s primary defense supplier. Congressional scrutiny is anticipated, with demands for assurances on Saudi engagements with Beijing and measures to preserve Israel’s military superiority. This F-35 sale is also viewed through the lens of expanding the Abraham Accords, a key foreign policy objective for the Trump administration. However, Saudi Arabia has linked its participation to a clear roadmap for a Palestinian state, a condition currently opposed by Israel. While a recent UN Security Council resolution offers a new dynamic, a breakthrough remains uncertain, though guarded optimism persists for an agreement within Trump’s potential second term.

Following his Knesset speech, Trump proceeded to Egypt for a summit to formalize the initial phase of his peace initiative. This plan, according to his pronouncements, included a stabilization force in Gaza, Hamas handing over governance to a Palestinian committee, and a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump himself, alongside former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. The event was a spectacle of diplomacy and self-congratulation, with Trump acknowledging his advisors and Israeli leaders.

However, a closer examination of Trump’s claims reveals a pattern of exaggeration and half-truths. His assertion of having “settled 8 wars in 8 months” is questionable; while some conflicts saw de-escalation, others either reignited or remained unresolved. Truces he helped broker in Africa and between Cambodia and Thailand proved short-lived, and disputes in Europe and between Egypt and Ethiopia persisted.

Furthermore, Trump’s declaration of having “dropped 14 bombs on Iran’s nuclear sites, obliterating them” lacks definitive proof. While some damage may have occurred, official confirmation of complete destruction is absent, leaving the claim in the realm of speculation.

His critique of the Iran nuclear deal also warrants scrutiny. The 2015 agreement, largely adhered to by Tehran and confirmed by international inspectors, was abandoned by Trump in 2018. Experts suggest that the withdrawal, not the deal itself, led to renewed concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.

Trump’s assertion that Obama and Biden fostered “hatred toward Israel” is also contested by historians and policy analysts. Both administrations significantly increased military and political support for Israel, including substantial aid packages. The claim that Obama and Biden “did nothing with the Abraham Accords” overlooks Obama’s tenure preceding the accords and Biden’s efforts to expand them, efforts derailed by the escalating conflict in Gaza and its devastating humanitarian consequences.

Major players like Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Saudi Arabia participated in the meeting. All collectively accused Israel of attacks and expressed solidarity with Qatar. However, the muted response from two of Qatar’s key neighbors, the UAE and Bahrain, surprised many.

Last week, Israel launched approximately 10 airstrikes on Doha, targeting senior Hamas leaders reportedly discussing a Gaza ceasefire proposal. At least six people were killed in the attacks, sparking outrage in Arab and Muslim countries. Leaders at the summit called it unprecedented aggression, stating that the attack on Qatar was akin to challenging the entire Muslim world.

The 55 participating Muslim nations warned Israel that such attacks would not only jeopardize regional peace but could also escalate the situation. Countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia openly supported Qatar from the platform. However, the UAE and Bahrain sent only minor representatives instead of their supreme leaders. This distance, despite being neighbors, is considered a significant setback for Qatar.

This situation stems from the Abraham Accords, which have normalized relations between Israel and the two countries. Consequently, they appear to be avoiding taking a strong stance against Israel. Qatar has long strived to be a strong voice for the Muslim world in regional politics. The lukewarm support from its neighbors could damage its image.

Azerbaijan is a major oil supplier to Israel, providing 60% of its oil needs and signed a gas exploration agreement in March 2025. In October 2023, during the Hamas-Israel war, Azerbaijan played a crucial role in fulfilling Israel’s energy requirements when ports were closed.

The Abraham Accords, signed in September 2020, saw the UAE become the first Arab nation to recognize Israel, followed by Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Bilateral trade between the UAE and Israel increased in 2024, with Israel sourcing 10% of its petroleum products from the UAE. The two nations have fostered extensive cooperation in tourism, education, health, trade, and security. However, the UAE has cautioned that the Abraham Accords could be jeopardized by plans for West Bank occupation following the Gaza war.

The natural gas agreement between Egypt and Israel is critical for both countries’ energy security. Gas from Israel’s Leviathan and Tamar gas fields is transported through Egyptian LNG terminals to Europe. The Dolphin agreement, established in 2018, allows Israel to receive natural gas from Egypt, generating billions of dollars annually. Both nations are working towards becoming an energy hub through gas pipeline infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia faces challenges from the Houthi rebels, who have been active in Yemen since 2014 and regularly launch attacks on Saudi Arabia. A weakened Israel could embolden Iran and strengthen the Houthi group. Saudi Arabia views Israel’s presence as a deterrent to Iranian expansionism. Houthi attacks on Saudi oil depots have impacted the global oil market. Israel conducts ongoing attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen. The absence of Israel could exacerbate Saudi Arabia’s difficulties.

Turkey, despite severing trade ties with Israel due to the Gaza war in May 2024, still maintains an active embassy in Tel Aviv. Trade continues behind the scenes, facilitated by Turkish companies via third countries like Georgia and Armenia. This trade reached $1.2 billion in 2024. Turkey, a NATO member, has long-standing defense ties with Israel, and has a Jewish population of 26,000. While the Erdogan government publicly supports Palestine, it maintains relations with Israel for commercial interests.

The United States plays a complex role in the establishment of relations between Pakistan and Israel. While the US desires greater recognition of Israel by Muslim countries, a significant portion of the Pakistani population supports Palestine. Pakistan, reliant on US economic and military aid, faces a dilemma. It faces US pressure concerning IMF loans and aid, compounded by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Public opposition within Pakistan could result if Israel is recognized, hence, Pakistan has not made any decision thus far.