Trump Links Saudi Civil Nuclear Deal to Abraham Accords Membership
Quick Look
US President Donald Trump stated that a civil nuclear deal for Saudi Arabia is contingent on joining the Abraham Accords, a condition Riyadh has long rejected without a pathway to Palestinian statehood, immediately casting doubt on the agreement.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
US President Donald Trump stated that a civil nuclear deal for Saudi Arabia would be approved only if Saudi Arabia joins the Abraham Accords, a condition Riyadh has long refused due to its stance on Palestinian statehood.
“The Civil Nuclear Deal … will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords,” US President Donald Trump wrote on social media, adding that the deal would not include enrichment and involve only non-military use of nuclear energy.
The demand immediately cast doubt on the agreement because Riyadh has long refused to normalise relations with Israel without a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood, a position that has hardened since the Gaza war.
The added stipulation appeared designed to appease increasingly wary lawmakers and voters, analysts said, as his Mideast war drags on, justified as essential to prevent nuclear proliferation.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt doubled down on Trump’s messaging a few hours later.
“Look, this is a condition that the president has spoken about many times with our Gulf and Arab allies,” Leavitt said at a press briefing.
Open Questions
- Will Saudi Arabia accept Trump's condition?
- How will the Gaza war impact Saudi's decision?
