A day after approving the US-Saudi Arabia civil nuclear agreement, US President Donald Trump announced a new condition for the deal. He said Saudi Arabia must recognise Israel by joining the Abraham Accords before the agreement can move forward. The announcement adds a major diplomatic requirement to the nuclear partnership and could complicate relations, as Saudi Arabia has repeatedly said it will not normalise ties with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state.
Trump Makes Israel Recognition a Condition for US-Saudi Nuclear Deal
President Donald Trump said the US-Saudi nuclear agreement would only take effect if Saudi Arabia joined the Abraham Accords. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!) being made between the United States Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia, which pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE (and others) already have, will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords. The United States is not opposed to Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP” Trump made the announcement one day after formally approving the agreement.
Saudi Arabia Stands Firm on Palestinian Statehood
Saudi Arabia has maintained that it will only normalise relations with Israel after an independent Palestinian state is established. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected that demand, leaving a major obstacle to any future agreement. Trump's latest condition therefore creates a fresh diplomatic challenge for both Washington and Riyadh.
What the US-Saudi Civil Nuclear Deal Includes
On Wednesday, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart signed the civil nuclear agreement. The agreement, known as a 123 Agreement, allows Saudi Arabia to develop its civilian nuclear energy programme with US support.
The deal is expected to remain in force for 30 years. According to CNN, American companies will provide technology, expertise and support to help Saudi Arabia build its civilian nuclear programme. The agreement also allows Saudi Arabia to enrich fuel for civilian nuclear reactors. US officials said the agreement includes limits on the inspections that can be carried out at Saudi nuclear facilities.The deal will now go to the US Congress for review before it can take effect.
IAEA Monitoring Rules Differ Under the Agreement
According to the Associated Press, Saudi Arabia will not have to sign the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Additional Protocol. That agreement normally allows more extensive monitoring, inspections and verification of civilian nuclear programmes. The exemption has drawn attention because the Additional Protocol is widely seen as an important safeguard for nuclear transparency.
What Are the Abraham Accords?
The Abraham Accords are a series of agreements introduced by Donald Trump in 2020 to establish diplomatic, economic and security ties between Israel and Arab countries. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain became the first countries to sign the accords in 2020. Morocco and Sudan joined later the same year. In May 2026, Trump also urged Pakistan and several West Asian countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Jordan, to join the Abraham.