Former President Donald Trump has stated that any agreement regarding civil nuclear cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia is contingent upon Riyadh formally joining the Abraham Accords and recognizing Israel. Trump emphasized on Truth Social that the deal prohibits the enrichment of nuclear material and is strictly intended for non-military purposes.
This announcement follows concerns raised by analysts regarding the potential for nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. Historically, Saudi Arabia has maintained that recognition of Israel is tied to the creation of a Palestinian state. The Abraham Accords, initiated by Trump in 2020, previously facilitated normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the UAE and Bahrain, with others like Morocco and Sudan subsequently joining.
The current agreement aims to grant American firms significant roles in Saudi Arabia’s energy sector. While initial speculation suggested the deal might permit uranium enrichment, Trump’s latest remarks explicitly deny such provisions. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously indicated in 2018 that while his country does not seek a nuclear weapon, it would pursue one if Iran were to successfully develop its own nuclear capabilities.
The proposal is now headed to the US Congress. While some legislators are expected to voice opposition, the Republican party holds control of both chambers, making a successful blockade unlikely.
