A recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) grew tense as discussions turned to the prospect of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords and normalising relations with Israel, according to multiple sources familiar with the talks.
While both leaders publicly projected unity following their White House meeting on November 18, officials said the closed-door conversation became strained when President Trump pressed strongly for Saudi participation in the U.S.-brokered normalization framework. The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, remain a cornerstone of Trump’s Middle East policy legacy.
Sources said MBS pushed back, citing Saudi public opinion and strong domestic opposition to Israel in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict. The crown prince reportedly maintained that Saudi society is not currently prepared for such a move, though he did not rule out normalization in the future.
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MBS also reiterated Saudi Arabia’s position that progress toward normalization would require Israel to commit to an “irreversible, credible and time-bound path” toward the establishment of a Palestinian state — a condition opposed by Israel’s current government.
Despite the tension, officials described the exchange as firm but civil. A U.S. official noted that President Trump remains committed to expanding the Abraham Accords as part of his vision for a stable and prosperous Middle East.
Separately, Washington confirmed it would continue consultations with Israel regarding any potential sale of advanced military aircraft to Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its legal commitment to maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge.
The Saudi embassy has not commented on the reports.
BREAKING: 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 🇸🇦 MASSIVE L FOR ISRAEL
Trump will grant Saudi Arabia a peaceful nuclear program without demanding normalization with Israel in return — Reuters pic.twitter.com/W9diH8drrv
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