Trump Links Saudi Nuclear Deal to Abraham Accords
US President Donald Trump has made a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia conditional on Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords and establishing diplomatic relations with Israel.
Trump Sets Abraham Accords Condition
Trump said the nuclear agreement was “totally subject” to Saudi Arabia joining the US-backed Abraham Accords. The White House subsequently confirmed that the deal would not proceed unless the kingdom normalised relations with Israel.
The condition was announced after US and Saudi officials unveiled the cooperation framework, creating uncertainty over its implementation. The proposed agreement is expected to remain in force for 30 years and would allow American companies to participate in Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme.
Saudi Nuclear Cooperation Faces Review
The nuclear pact would require a 90-day review by the US Congress. It reportedly includes a two-year study examining the feasibility of uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia, although the precise enrichment restrictions remain unclear.
Trump said the programme would be limited to peaceful purposes and would not support nuclear weapons development. Nuclear experts and US lawmakers are expected to examine the agreement’s safeguards, inspection provisions and compliance with international non-proliferation standards.
Saudi-Israel Normalisation Remains Uncertain
Saudi Arabia has not joined the Abraham Accords, which established formal relations between Israel and several Arab countries during Trump’s first presidential term. Riyadh has repeatedly said it will not recognise Israel without a credible pathway towards an independent Palestinian state.
That position presents a major obstacle to Trump’s condition. Saudi authorities have not publicly indicated whether they would reconsider their requirements for normalisation in exchange for access to American civilian nuclear technology.
