Trump conditions Saudi nuclear pact on Israel recognition
Donald Trump has stated that a civil nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia is contingent on Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords, requiring formal recognition of Israel, amid concerns over regional proliferation risks.
US President Donald Trump has declared that a landmark civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia is strictly contingent upon Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords, a diplomatic framework that necessitates the recognition of the state of Israel. The announcement was made via a post on Truth Social, where the president outlined the specific parameters of the proposed deal.
Trump specified that the agreement pertains exclusively to non-military applications and includes a prohibition on the enrichment of nuclear material. However, he emphasised that approval of the deal is "totally subject" to Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Accords, describing the framework as "very respected and successful."
The statement arrives amidst growing criticism from experts regarding the potential for nuclear proliferation in an already volatile region. The nuclear dimension has been a central point of contention in the months-long geopolitical conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The Abraham Accords were originally brokered by Trump in 2020, securing historic normalisation of relations between Israel and two Arab nations: the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Since that initial agreement, Sudan and Morocco have also moved to normalise their diplomatic ties with Israel.
This development represents a significant shift in US foreign policy leverage, linking energy infrastructure development directly to broader regional diplomatic integration. The situation remains fluid, with the BBC noting that this is a breaking news story being updated as further details emerge.
