Saudi nuclear deal depends if Riyadh agrees to recognize Israel: Trump

WASHINGTON, July 23: US President Donald Trump said the proposed civilian nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia will only move forward if Riyadh agrees to normalize relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords.

The announcement came a day after Washington and Riyadh unveiled a landmark agreement to establish a civilian nuclear programme in Saudi Arabia. Trump described the arrangement as a major strategic and economic partnership but stressed that its approval is "totally subject" to Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered normalization initiative launched during his first term.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the agreement "will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords." He also insisted, "There will be no enrichment of material!"

The Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States during Trump's first administration, established diplomatic, economic, and security ties between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. Sudan has signed the accords but has yet to fully formalize relations, while Kazakhstan joined the initiative last year after already recognizing Israel.

Saudi Arabia had engaged in discussions on normalizing relations with Israel in 2023, but negotiations stalled following the outbreak of the Gaza war. Riyadh has since maintained that it will not recognize Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The nuclear agreement is expected to generate billions of dollars for American companies and is viewed as a strategic victory for both Washington and Saudi Arabia, particularly as the United States remains engaged in conflict with Iran over concerns surrounding Tehran's nuclear programme. Policymakers have long warned that an Iranian nuclear weapon could trigger a regional arms race, prompting neighboring states to pursue similar capabilities.

However, the agreement has drawn criticism from lawmakers and nonproliferation experts, who argue that aspects of the deal could increase the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

According to The Wall Street Journal, one provision could allow US companies to construct a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia. The US Department of Energy neither confirmed nor commented on the report, while Trump denied that enrichment would be permitted under the agreement.

The deal will be submitted to Congress for review, although the Republican-controlled legislature is considered unlikely to block its implementation.

US lawmakers from both parties, along with Israeli officials, have previously expressed concern that Saudi Arabia could eventually use civilian nuclear infrastructure to develop nuclear weapons.�" AFP