Witkoff Signals Major Diplomatic Shift as U.S. Eyes Expansion of Abraham Accords and Peace with Iran

By: Fern Sidman

In a sweeping diplomatic overture with potentially historic ramifications for the Middle East, U.S. Special Envoy to the region Steve Witkoff confirmed this week that the Trump administration is on the cusp of unveiling new members to the Abraham Accords. In parallel, Witkoff revealed active American engagement toward what he called a “comprehensive peace agreement” with Iran following the cessation of hostilities between Tehran and Jerusalem.

Witkoff’s remarks, delivered during an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, were amplified across Israeli media, including The Times of Israel, which characterized his comments as a bold assertion of the Trump administration’s intent to reshape the regional order — diplomatically and strategically.

“We think we will have some pretty big announcements on countries that are coming into the Abraham Accords,” Witkoff said. “One of the president’s key objectives is that the Abraham Accords be expanded… and we are working on that.” As The Times of Israel report noted, this marked the latest in a series of public signals from Trump and his senior officials suggesting that the normalization initiative could soon widen beyond its original signatories.

First signed at the White House on September 15, 2020, the Abraham Accords marked a historic breakthrough in Israeli-Arab relations, formalizing diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and later Morocco. Sudan subsequently announced normalization, though full diplomatic relations remain pending. Now, according to the information provided in The Times of Israel report, momentum is building to bring in additional states — some of which “people would never have contemplated coming in before,” Witkoff said.

Speculation continues to swirl around Syria and Saudi Arabia. During a Middle East tour last month that included stops in Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, President Trump called it his “fervent hope, wish, and even dream” that Saudi Arabia would soon join the Abraham Accords. A day later, he met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, reportedly urging the Damascus leader to consider normalization with Israel.

Other media outlets, including The Times of Israel, have reported on ongoing mediation efforts by Qatar and the UAE between Syria and Israel, suggesting a regional appetite — or at least a quiet readiness — for a reshaped diplomatic landscape.

“We are hoping for normalization across an array of countries… We’re excited for that prospect. That would also be a stabilizer in the Middle East,” Witkoff told CNBC.

In a move that stunned many longtime Middle East observers, Witkoff also unveiled efforts to reach a broader diplomatic agreement with Iran, despite the Islamic Republic’s recent missile onslaught against Israel.

“We are hopeful for a comprehensive peace agreement,” Witkoff said, adding that active dialogue is already underway with multiple intermediaries. “I think they’re ready — that’s my strong sense,” he remarked, referring to the Iranian leadership.

As The Times of Israel report emphasized, Witkoff repeatedly framed his vision not merely as a nuclear deal, but as a full-fledged peace accord. “The conversation now with Iran is going to be how do we rebuild a better civil nuclear program for you that is non-enrichable,” he said, underscoring Washington’s demand for “robust observation” mechanisms to ensure compliance.

While acknowledging that past negotiations had failed, Witkoff expressed optimism in the wake of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which ended a brutal 12-day war on Tuesday. That truce, which The Times of Israel said was achieved through extensive shuttle diplomacy by Witkoff and his team, appears to have re-opened diplomatic channels with Tehran.

According to Witkoff, U.S. red lines remain clear: any further uranium enrichment or steps toward weaponization by Iran will be met with stiff resistance. “We can’t have weaponization. That will destabilize the entire region,” he told CNBC. “Everyone will then need a bomb, and we just can’t have that.”

Witkoff further dismissed a recent Defense Intelligence Agency report that downplayed the long-term effectiveness of Israeli and American strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. “All the different sources by which you might get to a weapon have been eradicated,” he asserted.

The urgency of diplomacy follows staggering destruction. Beginning on June 13, Israel launched a coordinated campaign targeting Iran’s top military officials, nuclear scientists, and enrichment facilities, including sites at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo. As The Times of Israel reported, these strikes were coordinated with parallel U.S. operations — notably the June 22 airstrikes that severely damaged Iran’s central nuclear infrastructure.

Tehran’s response was ferocious. Over 1,500 drones and missiles were fired at Israel in retaliation, killing 28 civilians and injuring thousands. The barrage struck residential buildings, a university, and a hospital — a deadly reminder of the stakes surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Though Iran continues to deny pursuing nuclear weapons, it has enriched uranium to near-weapons-grade levels and refused access to international inspectors — a pattern of behavior that has eroded international trust. Israeli officials maintain that Tehran had recently taken concrete steps toward actual weaponization.

Witkoff described a future peace agreement with Iran as a potential “renaissance” for the region, with implications that extend beyond the Middle East. “It could also have influence beyond the region in other conflicts — such as between Russia and Ukraine — inspiring people to end fighting,” he said, according to The Times of Israel report.

The envoy’s hopeful rhetoric, however, is tempered by the enormity of the task ahead. Iran’s deeply entrenched ideology, its support for terror proxies, and its antagonism toward Israel present formidable challenges. Yet if recent diplomatic activity is any indicator, the Trump administration sees an opening.

Indeed, as The Times of Israel reported, President Trump announced this week that American and Iranian negotiators will meet next week — a potential inflection point in decades of U.S.-Iranian hostility.

Witkoff’s approach — encompassing expansion of the Abraham Accords and normalization with Iran — reflects a broader Trump-era strategy of reshaping alliances and isolating extremist actors by empowering pragmatists. While the former Biden administration has been criticized by The Times of Israel and other Israeli outlets for allowing the Abraham Accords to stall, the Trump team appears poised to double down on regional transformation.

With diplomatic lines buzzing, missiles silenced, and secret talks reportedly underway, Witkoff’s dual-track strategy is now in motion. Whether this moment yields a lasting peace or merely a pause before the next conflagration remains to be seen — but for now, optimism, however cautious, appears to be making a quiet comeback in the Middle East.