Peace is possible — but Israel needs to embrace a two-state solution

The news about an imminent agreement between the US and Iran is certainly a welcome development. As mediators work to bridge the gaps between the American and Iranian positions, we need to remember that a negotiated outcome is by far the best possible solution for now, as it is the only one that gets us close to agreed-upon results.

As for the differences in opinion, according to several regional sources involved in the back channels, Arab News understands that the US wants to tighten the screws on nuclear issues; this includes the disposal of enriched uranium and ensuring Iran avoids any new enrichment for several years to come.

On the other hand, Iran wants more specifics when it comes to the unfreezing of its assets and the lifting of crippling sanctions on its economy. As expected from the recent visits of Pakistani and Qatari officials to Tehran and Iranian officials to Doha, those officials are working to bridge the gaps.

Meanwhile, regional sources tell Arab News that Saudi Arabia is urging both the Americans and the Iranians to pursue positive engagement. At the same time, Riyadh is highlighting the need for clear wording on security and freedom of navigation without new restrictions. Previous positions have made it clear that Saudi Arabia wants to see the Strait of Hormuz unconditionally reopened, the way it was before the war. Saudi Arabia is opposed to any Iranian attempt to retain control over the Strait.

It is understood that Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye all favor giving diplomacy a chance. Meanwhile, the UAE and Bahrain have said they have no problem with the diplomatic approach.

Of course, many will focus on what President Donald Trump said during his call with regional leaders, and later posted on Truth Social, about the Abraham Accords. Trump said on Monday he had asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan and Turkiye to join the accords and normalize relations with Israel as part of an agreement with Iran. “I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. He cited “all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together.”

The issue here is the lack of a serious partner in Israel that is willing to give peace a chance. 

Faisal J. Abbas | Editor-in-Chief

However, Trump’s post caused many pundits to raise issues that have remained unaddressed, such as that Egypt and Jordan already have peace deals with Israel that predate the Abraham Accords, and Turkiye already has normal ties with Israel.

A Saudi source told both CNN and Al Arabiya that there is no change in Riyadh’s position when it comes to an irreversible path toward a Palestinian state as a condition for normalization. Saudi Arabia made that position clear during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington in November. “We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we also want to be sure that we secure a clear path toward a two-state solution,” the crown prince told the press pool during an Oval Office meeting in the White House.

However, this position should be seen as a reassurance. For decades, Saudi Arabia has made it clear that it favors regional peace, security, connectivity and shared prosperity that must include both the Palestinians and the Israelis. This can be achieved. Now, would it necessarily happen as part of the Abraham Accords? I do not think so, and personally, the issue goes far beyond branding.

The issue here is the lack of a serious partner in Israel that is willing to give peace a chance and support the two-state solution. If that condition is met, then I would not be saying anything new in proposing that Saudi Arabia would bring all its religious legitimacy, political weight and influence behind a grand deal that would hopefully see the region’s countries coexist and work together toward a shared future.

• Faisal J. Abbas is the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News. X: @FaisalJAbbas