An Iran deal without Arab action is no deal at all
President Donald Trump recently declared that a deal with Iran is “largely negotiated.” As a liberal Muslim scholar from the Middle East who was forced to flee Egypt after defending Israel following Oct. 7, 2023, I know exactly what that declaration is worth without the Arab world’s full commitment behind it: very little.
TL;DR
- A deal with Iran is of little value without the full commitment of the Arab world.
- Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan, need to actively participate in negotiations and commit to normalization with Israel.
- Any agreement must address Iran's support for armed proxies, not solely its nuclear program.
- A unified Arab position and a robust regional security framework are crucial to contain Iran and foster stability.
- Passivity and conditional commitments from Arab states represent squandered opportunities and leave the region vulnerable to Iranian influence.