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Pakistani war chief rejects Trump’s demands to normalize ties with Israel

May 27, 2026

On 26 May, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif rejected US President Donald Trump’s demands for Arab and Muslim nations to normalize ties with Israel, stressing that this contradicts Islamabad’s “fundamental ideologies.”

“Personally, I don’t think we should join any such accord that clashes with our fundamental ideologies,” Asif said in an interview with Samaa TV.

Pakistan rejects Trump’s Abraham Accords push, says normalization with Israel is 'not acceptable'
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Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif rejected US President Donald Trump’s call for Muslim-majority countries to join the Abraham Accords, saying Islamabad should not enter any… pic.twitter.com/37J4gawYEd

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 26, 2026

Asif reiterated that Pakistan’s position on Israel remains unchanged despite US pressure and the attempts to attach the Iranian peace negotiations to broader regional normalization with Israel.

“We have a very clear stance that this is not acceptable to us,” he said, adding that Pakistan does not recognize Israel and continues to maintain a passport policy that excludes Israel’s name.

Asif added, “How will you sit down with those people whose word cannot be trusted even for a single day?”

VIDEO | US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claims that the Strait of Hormuz is "going to be open one way or the other," and that US President Donald Trump had a "historic call" with regional leaders who are all in "strong alignment and agreement" on what to do with the strait. pic.twitter.com/1tCbFu1zfi

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 26, 2026

The defense minister referred to Pakistan’s longstanding position on Israeli recognition, stating that any move toward normalization remains strongly opposed domestically.

Asif reiterated established policy lines during the interview, with Pakistan historically linking any recognition of Israel to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

“I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, ⁠if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump pushed countries including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt, and Jordan to join the framework alongside ongoing talks with Iran.

🇺🇸MASSIVE SLAP FOR TRUMP, from Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

🇺🇸Trump: “Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia… You MUST join the Abraham Accords RIGHT NOW and recognize Israel! It’s gonna be the BIGGEST, most BEAUTIFUL peace deal ever! No choice, folks!”

🇵🇰Pakistan: “Absolutely… pic.twitter.com/oA4hGGpTqK

— World updates (@itswpceo) May 26, 2026

Trump also said he felt no urgency to finalize an agreement, arguing that the US has time on its side, and warned that the naval blockade would remain until a deal is formally completed.

He further floated the notion that Iran itself could eventually become part of the expanded accords.

Trump posted on Truth Social that he is in no rush to make a deal with Iran because time is on the US's side.

He said the naval blockade will stay in place until a final deal is signed and sealed. He then rambled on about expanding the Abraham Accords, casually suggesting Iran… pic.twitter.com/fz4r611cgo

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 24, 2026

The Pakistani minister’s statements come after the US military said it carried out what it described as “self-defense” strikes against IRGC naval boats near the Strait of Hormuz and a surface-to-air missile site near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, alleging that Iranian forces were laying mines and targeting US aircraft during the ongoing ceasefire period.

CENTCOM says it attacked IRGC boats and missile sites near Strait of Hormuz in so-called 'self-defense' strikes
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The US military claimed on Tuesday morning that it carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran on Tuesday, targeting what it said were IRGC naval boats… pic.twitter.com/dFTQJd9s1K

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 26, 2026