As US President Donald Trump prepares for a Middle East visit next week, speculation is growing about potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Trump initiated the Abraham Accords in 2020 and aims to expand the framework during his trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. However, shifting regional dynamics, including Saudi Arabia’s rapprochement with Iran and the ongoing Gaza conflict, complicate the prospects.

The Abraham Accords established formal ties between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.

Trump’s upcoming visit could bolster his diplomatic legacy amid a turbulent return to the White House.

At Israel’s 77th Independence Day reception in Washington on May 5, 2025, Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, hinted at “many announcements” regarding the accords’ expansion, fueling speculation about a Saudi-Israel breakthrough.

Despite no formal ties, Israel and Saudi Arabia have cooperated discreetly, particularly on countering Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The Jerusalem Post reports that during Iran’s April 2024 missile attacks on Israel, Saudi Arabia provided intelligence to the US and Israel and intercepted “suspicious entities” in its airspace.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to prioritize normalization, though the Gaza war and domestic instability pose challenges.

Previous efforts, such as former President Joe Biden’s 2022 Saudi visit, yielded little progress. Biden’s focus on human rights and energy, punctuated by a symbolic fist bump with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, failed to advance normalization (Jerusalem Post).

A key obstacle is Iran. Long-standing rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran restored diplomatic ties in 2023 via a China-brokered deal, signaling Riyadh’s pivot toward a balanced foreign policy.

This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, emphasizing regional stability and economic growth. Meanwhile, Witkoff, addressing Iran’s nuclear program at the Washington event, expressed optimism about ongoing US-Iran talks, with a fourth round expected in Oman.

He reiterated Trump’s commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, preferably through diplomacy.

As Trump’s visit approaches, while Saudi-Israel normalization remains a tantalizing prospect, regional shifts and Iran’s influence may delay or redefine its path.