During last week’s Washington meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) discussed the possibility of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords and normalizing relations with Israel. Two U.S. officials and a source familiar with the discussions told Axios that the closed-door talks included tense moments.

Trump had hoped that, following the end of the Gaza conflict, the meeting would advance Saudi-Israeli normalization. However, officials indicated that Trump was reportedly frustrated by MBS’s reaction.

Trump Pressures, MBS Pulls Back

The White House reportedly informed MBS ahead of the meeting that Trump expected tangible progress in Saudi-Israeli relations. U.S. officials said Trump brought up the topic and pressed MBS to join the Abraham Accords, but the crown prince remained cautious under pressure.

MBS expressed willingness to normalize but explained that, due to public opposition in Saudi Arabia after the Gaza War, the country is not ready to take such a step. “They are not ready for such a move at this time,” sources said. Officials emphasized that while the conversation was civil, it was challenging.

Trump’s Goal: Progress on the Abraham Accords

A source said Trump is keen on Saudi participation in the Abraham Accords and worked hard to persuade MBS. Meanwhile, MBS requested that Israel agree on an “irreversible, reliable, and time-bound path” for a Palestinian state as part of any normalization deal. Israel’s government has not accepted any such path.

A White House official highlighted that Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to all Middle Eastern countries that can advance regional peace.

F-35 Dispute and QME Assurance

Following the meeting, Trump told the media he would supply Saudi Arabia with advanced F-35 fighter jets despite Israeli objections. The next day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to clarify that Saudi Arabia would receive a lower-tier F-35 model.

U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios that the arrangement would not undermine Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME), a statutory commitment. A White House official said, “We told the Israelis we are committed to QME and will not violate it.”