Weekly Briefing 28/04/25
Welcome to the weekly briefing from the UK Abraham Accords Group. Here we will keep you updated on news related to the Abraham Accords, diplomatic relations between the signatories, developments related to future Arab-Israel normalisations, and events to look out for this week.
Headlines
Syria willing to join the Abraham Accords Jerusalem Post
Syrian President al-Sharaa tells US Representative that under the correct conditions, Syria would be willing to join the Abraham Accords. This move signifies a new dawn of Israel-Syria relations, considering the two states have been at war since 1948. Joining the Accords would likely further international recognition and accelerate reconstruction for Syria, and Israel would benefit through the reduction of Iranian influence along the northern border. Despite these remarks, normalisation is still not quite in reach, with the Golan heights highly disputed and Iranian influence still entrenched in Syria.
Trump reportedly poised to offer Saudi Arabia $100+ billion arms deal Reuters
Trump is due to visit Saudi in May and will allegedly offer the kingdom over $100 billion in arms. This follows Biden’s unsuccessful attempts of arms deals that would help integrate Saudi into the Abraham Accords. A US Defence Official claims that the ‘US Saudi relationship is stronger than ever’ and that the US are determined to support Saudi in keeping their region safe.
Netanyahu expected in Baku as Azerbaijan grows closer to signing Abraham Accords Jerusalem Post
Azerbaijan is expected to welcome Netanyahu as the two countries grow ever-closer. The next faze of expanding the Accords is going beyond Sharia states and strategically into Shi’ite countries such as Azerbaijan. This geo-political shift marks another step in the dismantling Iranian influence in the region.
If Iran talks fail, Trump says US may ‘willingly’ join Israel and strike Iran Times of Israel
If negotiations fail, Trump says he would be open to using military action against Iran alongside Israel. However, unlike Israel, Trump prefers to exhaust all diplomatic options first and use force as a last resort.
Must Read
Israel’s dangerous overreach in Syria Foreign Affairs
This article warns that Israel treating a post-Assad Syria like an enemy, could be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Caution is understandable, but the new regime has expressed explicit interest in peace with Israel, and the alliance could be a golden opportunity for stabilising the region and undermining Iranian influence.
With Iran, no action might be the best approach Foreign Policy
Cook argues that the two options to deter Iran’s nuclear programme: diplomacy or military strikes would both inadvertently aid the regime. Instead, a more cautious, strategic approach is needed. The US should capitalise on the regime’s weakness, and not bolster it through sanctions relief as would happen if a deal was made, nor create regional instability with an aggressive military campaign.
Key Meetings
Head of Mossad Barnea travels to Doha to meet with Qatari PM as he returns to the negotiating table seeking a hostage ceasefire deal.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Aragchi enter a third round of indirect negotiations in Oman. According to both sides, progress is being made and the talks are ‘’serious’’.
UK Foreign Secretrary David Lammy visits Oman, meeting with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq discussing cooperation, growth and regional stability, including the Iran-US nuclear talks hosted by Oman. Lammy also met the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Thani for UK-Qatar strategic dialogue. A key focus of this meeting was bringing the Gaza war to an end and building regional stability.
In Parliament this week
House of Commons
Tuesday 29th April
1:30pm FCDO’s approach to displaced people - oral evidence
House of Lords
Wednesday 30th April 2:00pm
International Relations and Defence Commitee - Oral evidence