President Trump’s upcoming Middle East tour is raising eyebrows as it conspicuously omits a stop in Israel, a move that comes amid simmering tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and a potential US-Saudi Arabia deal. The visit, which includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, is ostensibly focused on economic opportunity, according to US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who assured Israelis that they should not feel snubbed. However, this explanation does little to quell speculation that the omission signals a shift in US strategy, particularly given ongoing disagreements over a ceasefire.
Potential US-Saudi Deal Without Israel
A senior US official warned that Washington might proceed with a deal with Saudi Arabia even without Israel’s cooperation if Israel doesn’t alter its stance on stalled ceasefire talks. President Trump is reportedly frustrated with Israel’s current position. This potential deal comes as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that Iran would not relinquish its “nuclear rights” ahead of talks with the US in Oman.
US-Iran Nuclear Talks and Gaza Conflict
Unspecified Iranian diplomatic sources suggest the US-Iran nuclear talks are faltering due to disagreements over uranium enrichment restrictions and what Iran perceives as changing US demands. The backdrop to these diplomatic maneuvers is the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israeli forces are reportedly nearing victory in Rafah, although a new Hamas propaganda video has surfaced, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Ceasefire Between India and Pakistan
Separately, there are reports of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, surprisingly announced by Trump, though trade violation claims have already emerged.