In brief
In a statement on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump said that the U.S.‑Saudi civil‑nuclear deal hinges on Riyadh accepting Israel into the Abraham Accords. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the condition has been repeatedly discussed with Saudi officials. The agreement, which prohibits uranium enrichment, has received criticism for potential proliferation risks. The U.S. Department of Energy described it as a peace‑focused partnership, while the IAEA will oversee verification. Israel welcomed the stance, but experts caution that civilian nuclear programs can eventually lead to weapons.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced on Truth Social that the civil‑nuclear partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia depends on Riyadh formally recognising Israel and joining the Abraham Accords. The statement was a follow‑up to a recent U.S.‑Saudi agreement that promises no uranium enrichment for peaceful power generation.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the condition has been raised in numerous discussions with Saudi officials, and that the deal would be cut if the kingdom does not join the accords. “He has said if they don’t join the Abraham Accords, the deal is off,” she noted, stressing that talks will continue with Saudi counterparts.
The agreement, labelled a “peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement” by the U.S. Department of Energy, also includes a bilateral safeguards agreement that will send the partnership to Congress for review. The International Atomic Energy Agency acknowledged forthcoming verification measures, stating it looks forward to working with U.S. and Saudi authorities to implement them.
Critics warn the deal might raise nuclear proliferation risks in an already volatile region. Former Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman cautioned that civilian nuclear programs can precede military ones. Meanwhile, Israeli officials reiterated that Saudi nuclear power would be managed responsibly if it joined the accords.
A spokesperson for King Mohammed bin Salman later said the kingdom has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, although it would chase a deterrent if Iran did. The matter remains a focal point for U.S.‑Middle East policy and the broader debate over civilian nuclear development.
