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White House links US-Saudi nuclear deal approval to Israel recognition
The White House said the agreement would proceed without enrichment and only for non-military nuclear use if Saudi Arabia joins the Abraham Accords framework.
The White House is casting doubt on a newly signed US-Saudi Arabia civil nuclear agreement, one day after it was announced, according to the South China Morning Post. The condition attached to approval is that Saudi Arabia recognises Israel under the Abraham Accords, a 2020 diplomatic initiative the kingdom has not joined.
In a social media post, US President Donald Trump said the civil nuclear deal would be approved but is “totally subject” to Saudi participation in the Abraham Accords. He also said the pact would not include enrichment and would focus only on non-military use of nuclear energy.
The SCMP reports that the added demand has fueled uncertainty about the agreement, given Saudi Arabia’s long-standing refusal to normalise relations with Israel without a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood, a stance that has hardened amid the Gaza war.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that the president has raised the same condition with Gulf and Arab partners, doubling down on the messaging at a press briefing. Analysts cited by SCMP said the stipulation also appears aimed at addressing concerns from lawmakers and voters wary of nuclear proliferation.