Jared Kushner Advises Trump Administration on Middle East Trip to Expand Abraham Accords and Normalize Israel-Saudi Relations

Jared Kushner, former senior adviser to President Donald Trump, is advising the administration on Middle East diplomacy ahead of Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Although not holding a formal role, Kushner is focusing on expanding the Abraham Accords and exploring Israel-Saudi normalization. His involvement highlights the administration's strategy of securing economic deals while pursuing broader regional diplomacy. The U.S. has dropped the requirement for Saudi-Israel normalization in nuclear talks, shifting focus to defense and economic cooperation, including a proposed $100 billion arms deal.

Kushner’s Return to Middle East Diplomacy

Jared Kushner, who played a central role in brokering the original Abraham Accords during Trump’s first term, has resumed an informal advisory role ahead of the president’s upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. According to multiple sources within the administration and individuals close to Kushner, he has been in regular contact with foreign leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), to discuss the potential normalization of relations with Israel.

While Kushner is not expected to accompany Trump on the trip, his influence is evident. He has been advising Steve Witkoff, the president’s Middle East envoy, and other senior officials on how to approach sensitive conversations with Arab leaders. A senior administration official told CNN, “When it comes to the Middle East, Jared is an expert. He knows all the players and is one of the few people who has the ear of the Arab leaders, as well as the Israelis” Jared Kushner quietly advising Trump administration ahead of Middle East trip.

Expanding the Abraham Accords

The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Kushner was widely credited with orchestrating the agreements, which were seen as a major diplomatic achievement of the Trump administration.

Now, the administration is seeking to build on that foundation. While the official focus of Trump’s trip is to secure economic and trade agreements with Gulf states, Kushner and other officials are using the opportunity to explore the expansion of the accords. “The primary goal of the trip is to secure investment deals from Gulf states that would support economic initiatives in the US,” CNN reported. “However, Kushner and other officials have also been working toward a broader diplomatic agenda—reviving and expanding the Abraham Accords” Jared Kushner quietly advising Trump administration ahead of Middle East trip.

Saudi-Israel Normalization: A Long-Term Objective

A normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia remains a top diplomatic goal for the Trump administration, though officials acknowledge that a breakthrough is unlikely during this trip. “We fully expect other countries to sign agreements first before Saudi,” a senior official told CNN, noting that discussions are ongoing with a “wide range of countries” Jared Kushner Is Back—Just Before Trump’s Middle East Trip.

Kushner has been advising on how to approach the Saudi leadership, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has previously indicated that normalization with Israel would require progress toward a two-state solution for Palestinians. According to sources close to Kushner, he believes there are proposals the administration can offer to soften MBS’s stance, though specifics have not been disclosed Jared Kushner quietly advising Trump administration ahead of Middle East trip.

Strategic Shifts in U.S.-Saudi Talks

In a notable development, the U.S. has reportedly dropped the requirement that Saudi Arabia normalize relations with Israel as a precondition for advancing civil nuclear cooperation. This shift, reported by Reuters, reflects a recalibration of U.S. strategy ahead of Trump’s visit. The talks now focus on broader defense and economic cooperation, including a proposed $100 billion arms deal and a significant increase in Saudi investments in the U.S., potentially rising from $6 billion to $1 trillion US reportedly drops Israel normalization condition in Saudi civil nuclear talks ahead of Trump’s Middle East visit.

While normalization is not off the table, it is now viewed as a longer-term objective. Trump is expected to use the trip to gauge what might be possible in the future, particularly once regional conflicts subside. “The trip won’t deliver a breakthrough—but it could lay groundwork,” reported The Jerusalem Post Trump’s Gulf tour: What’s at stake for Israel.

Kushner’s Influence and Relationships

Kushner’s continued influence stems from the relationships he cultivated during Trump’s first term. His close ties with MBS and other Gulf leaders have made him a valuable asset in navigating the region’s complex political landscape. He has also maintained regular contact with Steve Witkoff, helping him connect with key figures in the Middle East.

“Mr. Kushner led some of the first Administration’s biggest successes, including the historic Abraham Accords to help bring peace to the Middle East,” said White House communications director Steven Cheung. “There is no question this Administration values his expertise and welcomes his advice on all areas where he is willing to be helpful” Jared Kushner quietly advising Trump administration ahead of Middle East trip.

Delegation and Diplomatic Agenda

President Trump’s delegation for the Middle East trip includes key cabinet members such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy, will accompany the president and is expected to lead discussions on both economic and diplomatic fronts.

Witkoff recently stated at the Israeli embassy in Washington that he anticipates an expansion of the Abraham Accords “very, very shortly,” signaling optimism within the administration about the potential for new agreements Jared Kushner quietly advising Trump administration ahead of Middle East trip.

Broader Regional Implications

The Trump administration’s efforts to expand the Abraham Accords and engage Saudi Arabia in normalization talks come amid broader regional dynamics, including ongoing tensions with Iran and the aftermath of recent conflicts involving Hamas. Israeli officials are closely watching the trip, viewing it as a test of whether the U.S. will continue to prioritize Israel’s strategic interests in the region.

For Israel, the significance of the trip lies not only in potential investment pledges but also in whether it strengthens deterrence against Iran and reinforces the strategic realignment initiated by the Abraham Accords Trump’s Gulf tour: What’s at stake for Israel.

References

• Jared Kushner quietly advising Trump administration ahead of Middle East trip
• Jared Kushner Is Back—Just Before Trump’s Middle East Trip
• US reportedly drops Israel normalization condition in Saudi civil nuclear talks ahead of Trump’s Middle East visit