Trump Ties US-Saudi Nuclear Deal to Israel Recognition Under Abraham Accords
· 3 min read ·
President Donald Trump has declared that a landmark civil nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia will only move forward if Riyadh joins the Abraham Accords and formally recognizes the State of Israel.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that the "Civil Nuclear Deal" — which he emphasized pertains solely to non-military purposes and includes "no enrichment of material" — would be approved but remains "totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords."
The US Department of Energy described the agreement, whose signing was announced on Wednesday, as a "peaceful nuclear co-operation agreement." The department said it would provide "great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy programme."
Experts Warn of Proliferation Risks in Volatile Region
Trump's conditional approval comes amid criticism from experts who have warned that the deal could increase the risk of nuclear proliferation in an already unstable Middle East. Previous reports in US media had suggested the agreement might allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium in the future. While uranium enrichment can produce fuel for civilian power plants, it can also potentially be used to manufacture nuclear weapons. Trump's latest remarks, however, appear to explicitly deny that any enrichment would be permitted.
The nuclear issue has been a central factor in the months-long conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, adding significant geopolitical weight to the agreement.
Saudi Arabia's Longstanding Position on Israel
Saudi Arabia has previously stated that it would not recognize Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, a position that presents a considerable obstacle to the condition Trump has set.
Riyadh has not yet responded to the president's remarks.
The Abraham Accords were originally brokered by Trump in 2020, securing the historic normalization of relations between Israel and two Arab nations — the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Since then, Sudan, Morocco, and Kazakhstan have also signed the accords, expanding the framework of diplomatic ties between Israel and nations across the broader region.
Crown Prince's Past Warning on Iranian Nuclear Ambitions
Regional tensions surrounding nuclear development are further amplified by Saudi Arabia's rivalry with Iran. In a 2018 interview with CBS News, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, acknowledged that while his country was not planning to acquire a nuclear weapon, it would not remain passive if Iran did.
"Without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible," the crown prince told the network.
Congress to Review Agreement Amid Expected Opposition
The agreement will now be sent to the US Congress for review. Lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties are expected to voice opposition to the deal. However, with Trump's Republican Party controlling both the upper chamber, the Senate, and the lower chamber, the House of Representatives, opponents do not appear to have the votes required to block the agreement.
The deal sits at the intersection of nuclear energy policy, Middle East diplomacy, and domestic American politics, making it one of the most consequential international agreements under consideration. As Saudi Arabia weighs whether to adjust its stance on Israel and Congress prepares for debate, the outcome could reshape alliances across the region. What are your thoughts on tying nuclear cooperation to diplomatic recognition? Share this article with your network and let us know your perspective.
