US President Donald Trump has said that a proposed civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia will only move forward if the kingdom agrees to normalize relations with Israel.
Trump said the agreement is “totally subject” to Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, a US-backed initiative that established diplomatic relations between Israel and several countries.
The announcement adds a major political condition to a deal that could allow Saudi Arabia to develop its civilian nuclear energy program with US support. The agreement is intended for peaceful purposes and is not supposed to support a military nuclear program.
The condition could make the deal more difficult to finalize. Saudi Arabia has not formally recognized Israel and has previously linked normalization to progress toward establishing a Palestinian state.
The issue is politically sensitive across the Middle East. While Israel has welcomed closer relations with Saudi Arabia, concerns remain about the potential spread of nuclear technology in the region.
Trump’s demand links two major issues—nuclear cooperation and diplomatic recognition of Israel—into a single agreement. The move could increase pressure on Saudi Arabia to consider joining the Abraham Accords while also creating new challenges for negotiations.
The proposed nuclear agreement is expected to face further review before it can be fully implemented. The future of the deal may now depend not only on nuclear cooperation but also on whether Saudi Arabia is willing to normalize relations with Israel.
The development highlights the complex diplomatic efforts surrounding US-Saudi relations, Israeli normalization, and nuclear energy in the Middle East.
