In brief
In a recent Truth Social post, President Donald Trump stated that the US‑Saudi civil nuclear deal hinges on Riyadh recognizing Israel, effectively tying a nuclear partnership to the Abraham Accords. The announcement follows a Doha‑signed agreement that could grant Saudi Arabia access to nuclear technology while avoiding enrichment, amid fears of regional proliferation. Congressional approval is pending, and Saudi Arabia has yet to respond to the conditions. Analysts warn that linking the deal to diplomatic moves may alter Middle East stability and nuclear policy dynamics.
Trump’s nuclear condition
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States will only approve a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia if the Gulf kingdom joins the Abraham Accords, normalising relations with Israel. The decision draws on diplomatic leverage, linking a potentially high‑profile nuclear collaboration to a long‑standing diplomatic goal.
This condition comes amid a Washington‑signed agreement that would allow Saudi companies to work on nuclear projects but explicitly rules out uranium enrichment. The wording of the contract is not yet public, and it is unclear whether the staffing conditions were pre‑written or added after the announcement.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump repeatedly mentioned the nuclear‑to‑Abraham link to Saudi officials, stating: “He has said if they don’t join the Abraham Accords, the deal is off.” The administration is reportedly continuing negotiations with Riyadh.
Although Saudi Arabia has not yet reacted, the move follows the kingdom’s previous stance that it will not recognise Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state. Israeli officials welcomed the statement as a step toward regional stability, while former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman warned that a civilian programme could be a stepping stone to a future military nuclear capability.
The United States Department of Energy described the draft as a “peaceful nuclear co‑operation agreement” that lays a legal foundation for a long‑term, multi‑billion‑dollar partnership and reiterated its commitment to non‑proliferation. The International Atomic Energy Agency acknowledged awareness of the US‑Saudi plans and expressed readiness to implement verification measures.
The key question remains whether Saudi involvement in the Abraham Accords will materialise, and how the nuclear deal will be integrated into a broader diplomatic and security framework in the Middle East.
