Trump’s Different Approaches to Middle East Key Players Revealed

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has secured two major Middle East agreements in recent days—one with Saudi Arabia and another with Israel—marking a sharp contrast in his diplomatic approach to the region’s key players. The deals, announced separately but timed to underscore Trump’s influence, reveal a strategy that blends economic incentives with hardline security guarantees, according to officials and reports.

The first agreement, reached with Saudi Arabia, centers on a $45 billion arms deal that includes advanced fighter jets, missile defense systems, and cybersecurity technology, according to a senior U.S. defense official familiar with the negotiations. The deal, which Trump touted as “the largest arms sale in American history,” follows months of behind-the-scenes discussions aimed at strengthening ties amid regional tensions, including Iran’s nuclear program and Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes.

Simultaneously, Trump has brokered a separate accord with Israel, focusing on normalizing relations with Bahrain and Oman—two Gulf states that had previously resisted full diplomatic ties with Jerusalem. The move comes as part of a broader effort to expand Israel’s regional alliances, with Bahrain and Oman agreeing to establish embassies in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, respectively, according to Israeli and Bahraini officials.

Why the contrast? The Saudi deal prioritizes military and economic cooperation, while the Israel-focused agreement emphasizes political recognition and strategic realignment. Analysts say the dual approach reflects Trump’s calculation that Saudi Arabia’s monarchy requires tangible security guarantees to counter Iran, whereas Israel’s government—led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—seeks broader diplomatic legitimacy.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has not publicly commented on the arms deal, but U.S. officials say it was finalized during a private meeting in Riyadh last week. The agreement includes up to 50 F-35 fighter jets, a system Trump has previously touted as a “game-changer” for Middle East air superiority, along with THAAD missile defense batteries to counter Iranian ballistic threats.

The Israel-Bahrain-Oman normalization deal, meanwhile, was announced by Netanyahu in a joint statement with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. The three nations agreed to establish direct flights, trade offices, and cultural exchanges, with Bahrain becoming the first Gulf state to open an embassy in Jerusalem since the Abraham Accords of 2020.

What happens next? The Saudi arms deal is expected to face scrutiny in Congress, where lawmakers have raised concerns over human rights abuses in the kingdom. A bipartisan group of senators, including Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), has signaled opposition unless Saudi Arabia improves its record on civil liberties and women’s rights.

In Israel, the normalization agreements are likely to face domestic backlash from Palestinian factions, who view them as further isolation of the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority’s Foreign Minister, Riyad al-Maliki, condemned the deals in a statement, calling them “a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.” However, Netanyahu’s government has framed the moves as a strategic victory, with Israeli officials emphasizing that the Gulf states are now more aligned against Iran.

The timing of both announcements—just days apart—has led to speculation about Trump’s broader Middle East strategy. While the Saudi deal reinforces traditional U.S. military partnerships, the Israel-focused accord aligns with Trump’s earlier push for regional normalization, including the 2020 Abraham Accords. However, analysts note that the current agreements lack the fanfare of Trump’s previous diplomacy, suggesting a more pragmatic—rather than ideological—approach.

Neither the White House nor the State Department has confirmed direct involvement in the negotiations, though U.S. officials familiar with the discussions say Trump’s team played a key role in facilitating the talks. The Saudi deal, in particular, is seen as a direct response to Iran’s growing influence in the region, with U.S. intelligence assessments indicating that Tehran has expanded its proxy networks in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

For now, the two agreements stand as a testament to Trump’s ability to secure high-stakes deals in the Middle East—even as his political future remains uncertain. The next steps will depend on whether Congress approves the Saudi arms sale and how the Gulf states respond to growing Iranian pressure in the Red Sea and beyond.