The administration of US President Donald Trump is developing a broad strategy for the Middle East that could reshape Washington’s regional policy after the war with Iran, according to an Axios report. The emerging plan is expected to combine efforts to contain Iran with initiatives aimed at reducing regional conflicts and strengthening ties between Israel and Arab countries.
Trump has privately told people that he is working on “something much bigger” for the Middle East once the conflict with Iran ends, the report noted. Two US officials and two other people familiar with the discussions told Axios that the strategy is still being drafted and involves senior presidential advisers as well as officials from several US government agencies.
A central part of the proposed approach would involve bringing US allies in the Middle East into closer strategic alignment against Iran, with Washington potentially taking on a role as a regional security guarantor. The administration is also examining ways to address conflicts and tensions that emerged following the October 7, 2023 attacks, including possible progress on the next phase of Trump’s Gaza plan.
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Other elements under consideration include a potential security arrangement between Israel and Syria and implementation of an existing agreement between Israel and Lebanon. The administration is also looking to expand the Abraham Accords, with a possible normalisation agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia viewed as one of the most significant objectives. Such a deal would provide Trump with a major diplomatic achievement in the region.
The strategy could face political complications in Israel, which is scheduled to hold elections on October 27, shortly before the US midterm elections in November. Trump’s team reportedly hopes that the Israeli government formed after the election will be willing to cooperate with Washington. However, US officials are also considering moving ahead with the broader strategy even if the Israeli election results lead to another period of political uncertainty.
Trump has discussed the emerging framework in meetings with senior advisers in recent weeks, where different proposals have been considered. However, the plan remains unfinished and could take several more weeks before it is finalised. One person familiar with the discussions characterised the process as still being developed, while also noting uncertainty over whether all US regional allies would ultimately support a coordinated post-war strategy.
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