US President Donald Trump’s renewed push to expand the Abraham Accords is facing sharp scepticism, with critics arguing that the initiative is unlikely to succeed amid escalating regional tensions linked to the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The proposal was reportedly reiterated during a series of phone calls on May 25, as negotiations continued over the Iran-related conflict.

Trump urged several Middle Eastern leaders to consider joining the accords, which were first launched in 2020 and led to normalisation agreements between Israel and countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. He later reinforced his position in a social media post, calling for multiple countries to sign the accords “simultaneously” as part of a broader regional settlement framework.

In his remarks, Trump also suggested the possibility of Iran joining the accords, a move analysts say would mark a dramatic shift given that the agreements were originally designed in part to counter Tehran’s regional influence. Observers, however, have dismissed the idea as politically unrealistic, citing entrenched hostilities and the lack of diplomatic groundwork for such a step.

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Diplomatic reactions cited in international reporting have been largely negative. A former US diplomat, speaking anonymously to Politico, described the proposal as a “poison pill”, arguing that it creates conditions for peace that neither Iran nor key regional states are likely to accept. The comments reflect broader doubts within diplomatic circles about the feasibility of expanding the framework under current geopolitical conditions.

Much of the resistance, analysts argue, stems from widespread anger across the Middle East over Israel’s military operations in Gaza and southern Lebanon. The conflict in Gaza, ongoing since 2023, has resulted in heavy casualties and large-scale displacement, while Israel’s military activity in Lebanon has further intensified regional instability, despite earlier ceasefire efforts.

Against this backdrop, critics say Trump’s push for a rapid expansion of the Abraham Accords underestimates the depth of regional hostility and the complexity of unresolved conflicts. As a result, many observers believe the proposal is unlikely to gain meaningful traction in the near term, even as diplomatic discussions continue behind the scenes.

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