Netanyahu, Pakistan Nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize for Middle East, South Asia Peace Efforts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surprised President Donald Trump by nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize during a White House dinner, praising his role in advancing the Abraham Accords and promoting peace in the Middle East. Netanyahu lauded Trump’s leadership of the free world and his efforts to foster peace and security, calling the nomination well-deserved. This Israeli nomination follows Pakistan’s recent announcement to recommend Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him with de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, though India denied seeking mediation and attributed de-escalation to direct military talks. Trump expressed hope that the United States would not need to strike Iran again and indicated willingness to lift sanctions on Iran in the future, while Netanyahu emphasized that regime change in Iran is up to its people. Trump has openly sought recognition for his peace efforts, although critics note ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Both leaders framed their meeting as one of strategic diplomacy amidst complex regional issues, with Trump receiving the nomination letter as a meaningful gesture.