Trump attaches Abraham Accords condition to Saudi nuclear deal
The White House has declared that congressional approval for a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Riyadh is contingent upon the kingdom joining the Abraham Accords and normalising relations with Israel, a move that contradicts the text of the original deal.
US President Donald Trump has stated that a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia is strictly contingent upon the kingdom joining the Abraham Accords and normalising relations with Israel. The declaration, made via a post on his Truth Social account on Thursday, follows the US Department of Energy’s announcement on Wednesday regarding the signing of a multi-billion-dollar partnership for a civilian nuclear programme.
In his statement, Trump wrote that the agreement “will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords.” This condition introduces significant complexity to the deal, which was filed with the US Congress for legislative review on Wednesday. The Abraham Accords, originally brokered by Trump in 2020, require signatories to recognise Israel, a stance Saudi Arabia has historically opposed.
The US President also addressed reports suggesting the pact would permit Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium domestically. Trump explicitly denied these claims, stating, “There will be no enrichment of material!” He clarified that the United States is not opposed to “Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities,” marking a departure from Washington’s longstanding policy of opposing enrichment technology for nations that do not already possess it.
Despite the President’s assertions, the condition regarding the Abraham Accords does not appear to be part of the original agreement text submitted to Congress. Al Jazeera reporter Mike Hanna noted that this discrepancy raises substantial questions for lawmakers, stating, “There are many questions that arise, and no doubt there will be many questions in Congress.” Saudi Arabia has not yet responded to Trump’s latest claim.
The deal has drawn criticism from nuclear non-proliferation groups and some US lawmakers, who warn it could trigger a regional arms race, particularly if enrichment rights were granted. The agreement comes amidst heightened geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, where uranium enrichment has been a central point of contention.
