U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly told leaders of several Arab and Muslim nations that he expects them to normalize relations with Israel if a deal is reached to end the war with Iran.

According to a report by Axios, Trump held a high-level phone call Saturday with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain to discuss the emerging agreement with Tehran.

One U.S. official quoted in the report said the Arab and Muslim leaders told Trump during the call: “We are with you on this deal.”

Another official familiar with the conversation said Trump informed the leaders that he planned to speak next with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed hope that Netanyahu would eventually join a future group conversation with the Muslim and Arab leaders.

Trump then reportedly urged countries that have not yet joined the Abraham Accords to formally normalize relations with Israel.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan currently do not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Israel.

According to Axios, the moment became awkwardly quiet after Trump raised the normalization issue.

“There was silence on the line and Trump joked and asked if they are still there,” one official reportedly said.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)