As the United States marked its 250th birthday on Independence Day, heads of state and government leaders from across the Middle East and beyond extended their congratulations to President Donald Trump and the American people.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog made a personal gesture by traveling to the US Embassy in Jerusalem, where he hand-delivered a letter addressed to President Trump and the American people to US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Speaking to the ambassador, Herzog called American independence “one of the greatest moments in history,” saying it “changed the fate of humanity.” He also noted that the embassy in Jerusalem came to be following President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
In his written message, Herzog referred to the 250th anniversary as “a moment to honor the incredible triumph of the American spirit.” He called the United States “a beacon of liberty, and as the leader of the free world,” and thanked President Trump for his “steadfast commitment to Israel’s security.” Herzog also wrote that Israelis “will never forget your tireless efforts to bring our beloved hostages home.”
Receiving the Israeli president, Ambassador Huckabee remarked that Americans were “not the only ones celebrating America’s 250th birthday,” and told Herzog, “We’re honored to have you here and honored to call you a friend.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also released a congratulatory statement, calling the United States “the greatest force for freedom that the modern world has known.” Netanyahu said, “We may live on different continents, but there is a strong bond between us because we have one destiny.” He went on to say the alliance between the two countries is built on “shared values” as well as mutual interests, and argued those values are being threatened by “the tyrants we face” who chant, “Death to America, Death to Israel.”
In the Gulf region, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent his congratulations to President Trump and the American people, writing that “The journey of the United States’ founding is one of determination and resolve.” He said those same principles continue to shape the relationship between the two nations and pledged ongoing cooperation toward “lasting progress and prosperity.”
UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said his country remains dedicated to a relationship that advances “peace, stability and prosperity,” while Al Nahyan characterized US-UAE ties as a “robust strategic partnership.”
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman both sent messages to President Trump, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry. King Salman highlighted “the bilateral relations between the two countries and the development they are witnessing in various fields” and extended wishes for the United States’ “continued progress and prosperity.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi offered his “warmest congratulations” to President Trump, his administration, and the American people, saying he looked forward to deepening cooperation between the two countries “in pursuit of our shared interests.”
Qatar also took part in the anniversary observances, with the Qatari Amiri Diwan announcing that HH Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable to President Trump marking US Independence Day.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the occasion as a celebration of “the enduring values of freedom, resilience, and democracy.” He noted that Pakistan and the United States have maintained a partnership for more than seven decades and praised President Trump’s “vital contribution to peace in South Asia,” saying it helped save “hundreds of millions of lives.” Sharif also commended the president’s efforts on major international conflicts and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to stronger bilateral ties.
Moroccan King Mohammed VI marked the anniversary by calling it a celebration of “250 years of strong and stable relations between our two nations.” He pointed out that Morocco was “the first State to recognize the independence of the United States of America” and said the relationship between the two countries “have never been as rich and fruitful” as during President Trump’s two terms. The king also said that President Trump’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara “will remain etched in the memory of Moroccans from generation to generation.”
Jordan’s Royal Court announced that King Abdullah II sent President Trump a congratulatory message on behalf of the Jordanian government and people, highlighting the countries’ longstanding strategic partnership and expressing a desire to continue building on bilateral relations.
In Bahrain, the capital city of Manama lit up its skyline in the colors of the American flag to honor the anniversary. US Ambassador to Bahrain Stephanie Hallett hosted a reception celebrating the friendship and growing defense partnership between the two nations.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani congratulated President Trump and the American people, praising the United States’ commitment to democratic governance. “America’s enduring lesson is that liberty requires more than power. It requires a Constitution, institutions, federal balance, and the consent of free people,” Barzani said. He added that both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq are seeking closer ties with the United States and expressed appreciation for America’s “friendship and leadership.”
Kuwait’s Amir, Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, also sent a congratulatory cable to President Trump marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, praising the longstanding historical and strategic relationship between the two countries.
Oman’s Haitham Bin Tarik extended his congratulations to President Trump, wishing the American people prosperity, stability and progress while pledging to expand cooperation between the two nations. Separately, the US Embassy in Muscat held a reception at the Diplomatic Club attended by Omani ministers, senior officials and diplomats. The event featured a short film on US-Oman relations dating back to the countries’ first treaty in 1833, along with an exhibition tracing the history of their bilateral ties.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev called the Declaration of Independence “a symbol of the struggle for freedom, indomitable resolve, and democracy” in his message to President Trump. Aliyev welcomed the recent strengthening of US-Azerbaijan relations following the signing of a Charter on Strategic Partnership in February, and praised President Trump’s role in promoting peace in the South Caucasus while expressing appreciation for US support of regional infrastructure and economic development efforts.
