U.S. President Donald Trump has said that Saudi Arabia must formally recognize Israel before a proposed civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between Washington and Riyadh can be finalized.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the nuclear agreement would be limited strictly to peaceful, non-military purposes and would not allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium. However, he made it clear that the deal is contingent on the kingdom joining the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-brokered normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump has consistently communicated this condition to Saudi leaders and reaffirmed that the agreement would not move forward unless Riyadh agrees to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
The proposed partnership is designed to support Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear energy program while expanding opportunities for American companies in the kingdom's energy sector. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the agreement includes safeguards intended to ensure that nuclear technology is used exclusively for peaceful purposes and complies with international non-proliferation standards. The deal will also be reviewed by the U.S. Congress.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has acknowledged the planned cooperation and said it is prepared to implement verification measures if formally requested by both countries.
Trump's remarks have reignited debate over the strategic and security implications of the agreement. Some lawmakers and nuclear experts have expressed concern that expanding nuclear capabilities in the Middle East could increase long-term proliferation risks, even if the current agreement is limited to civilian use.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stated in the past that it would not normalize relations with Israel without meaningful progress toward the establishment of a Palestinian state. As of now, Riyadh has not publicly responded to Trump's latest comments.
Israel welcomed the U.S. President's position, describing the possibility of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords as a significant step toward greater regional peace and cooperation.
The proposed agreement highlights the growing connection between energy cooperation, regional diplomacy, and security in the Middle East. Whether the deal ultimately moves forward may depend as much on political negotiations as on nuclear policy.
