Top US officials are preparing to tour the Middle East in order to consolidate the agreement between Israel and the UAE and lobby other Arab countries to sign a similar deal, according to diplomatic sources in Tel Aviv.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently denied agreeing to stopping the annexation of parts of the West Bank and Jordan Vally and accepting the sale of F-35 aircraft to the UAE.
The sources pointed out that the US wants to ensure the success of the Emirati-Israeli agreement by setting a timetable for its progress and removing any obstacle in its way.
Washington is interested in encouraging other Arab countries to strike a similar deal with Israel, according to the sources. They added that progress has been achieved with other Arab states, hinting that Sudan could be the next state to sign a normalization agreement with Israel.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Israel on Monday. He will then head to the UAE.
Pompeo will "discuss regional security issues related to Iran's malicious influence (and) establishing and deepening Israel's relationships in the region," the State Department said in a statement.
The Secretary is also scheduled to visit Sudan “to discuss continued US support for the civilian-led transitional government and express support for deepening the Sudan-Israel relationship.”
During his visit to Khartoum, Pompeo is expected to announce that US sanctions will be lifted, according to the sources.
A week after his visit, a large US delegation headed by US President Donald Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will tour several Gulf countries.
An Israeli official confirmed that US officials will address other issues, namely the Iranian threat and China's economic and security expansion in the region.
In Israel, US officials will meet Netanyahu, alternate Prime Minister and Security Minister Benny Gantz, and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
In Abu Dhabi, the delegation will meet Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and other top officials.
Political circles in Tel Aviv believe Trump wants to hold a ceremony to celebrate the signing of the Israeli-Emirati agreement next month in the Rose Garden at the White House, at the presence of high-level representatives from Arab countries to show their support for the agreement.
The Israeli PM appointed National Security Council Head Meir Ben-Shabbat to coordinate the preparation for Israel's talks with the UAE. The two sides discussed major issues such as opening direct flights between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi.
