US President Donald Trump has said that the proposed civil nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia will only receive approval if the Gulf nation agrees to normalize relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords.
In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump stressed that the agreement is limited to peaceful civilian nuclear energy and will not permit Saudi Arabia to enrich nuclear material.
According to Trump, the deal is intended solely for non-military purposes and remains dependent on Saudi Arabia becoming part of the Abraham Accords, the diplomatic initiative launched during his first term.
Peaceful Nuclear Program Without Uranium Enrichment
The agreement, announced earlier this week, aims to strengthen cooperation between Washington and Riyadh in the field of nuclear energy while opening business opportunities for American companies involved in the sector.
Trump also attempted to address concerns raised by non-proliferation experts by making it clear that the proposed partnership does not include uranium enrichment, a technology that can be used for civilian power generation but may also contribute to the development of nuclear weapons.
Riyadh Yet to Clarify Its Position
Saudi Arabia has not officially responded to Trump’s latest remarks. The full text of the nuclear agreement has not been released, making it unclear whether recognition of Israel is a legally binding condition or a political expectation attached to the deal.
The kingdom has consistently maintained that it will only establish diplomatic ties with Israel after meaningful progress toward the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Israel Welcomes Trump’s Statement
Israel welcomed Trump’s comments, calling the prospect of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords an important opportunity for regional peace.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Saudi participation would represent a historic step for the Middle East. While avoiding direct comments on the nuclear agreement, Israeli officials have previously indicated they could support Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program if it remains strictly peaceful.
Abraham Accords Expanded Regional Diplomacy
Introduced in 2020, the Abraham Accords reshaped diplomatic relations in the Middle East by establishing formal ties between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Morocco, Sudan, and Kazakhstan later became part of the initiative.
Despite ongoing discussions over the years, Saudi Arabia has not signed the accords.
Nuclear Debate Continues
The proposed agreement arrives as concerns over nuclear security continue to shape regional politics, particularly amid tensions involving Iran.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously stated that the kingdom does not seek nuclear weapons. However, he also warned that Saudi Arabia would pursue similar capabilities if Iran were to successfully develop a nuclear bomb.
Recent media reports had suggested the agreement might eventually allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, but Trump’s latest statement appears to reject that possibility.
Agreement Heads to Congress
The civil nuclear cooperation agreement will now undergo review in the US Congress. Although several lawmakers have raised questions about the proposal, Republicans currently control both chambers, reducing the likelihood of the agreement being blocked.
