President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia is contingent on the kingdom normalizing relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, a move that could create a roadblock to the pact his administration announced earlier this week. The condition, posted on social media, threw the deal into doubt, as it was not immediately clear whether Saudi Arabia had agreed to that requirement or whether it was stipulated in the text of the agreement, which has not been released. The Hill reported that Trump said the Civil Nuclear Deal, which pertains only to non-military material and involves no enrichment, depends on Saudi Arabia joining the accords.

Main Story

President Trump's announcement on Thursday that the nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia depends on the kingdom normalizing relations with Israel represents a significant shift in the administration's approach. Earlier this week, the US and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark 30-year nuclear cooperation agreement, known as a 123 agreement, which permits American companies to transfer nuclear technology for civilian energy programs. The deal was signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman. Al Jazeera reported that the deal allows US companies to help Saudi Arabia develop a civilian nuclear program, though much of the deal's content remains unknown.

Trump's new condition, posted on social media, stated that the Civil Nuclear Deal, which he emphasized involves no enrichment of material and is non-military, is contingent on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords. The Abraham Accords, brokered during Trump's first term, normalized relations between Israel and several Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. Saudi Arabia has not yet joined the accords. The New York Times noted that the condition could create a roadblock to the deal, as it is unclear whether Saudi Arabia has agreed to this requirement or whether it is part of the signed text.

The Washington Post reported that Trump's statement threw the pact into doubt, as Saudi Arabia has long sought a nuclear deal without preconditions related to Israel. The kingdom has historically conditioned normalization with Israel on progress toward a Palestinian state, a position that remains unchanged.

Why It Matters

The nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia represents a major shift in US Middle East policy. BBC News reported that the agreement jettisons longstanding US demands that Saudi Arabia normalize relations with Israel before receiving American nuclear technology. Past US presidents insisted on such concessions, but the Trump administration initially gave Saudi Arabia what it wanted without extracting guarantees for Israel, according to reports of the deal's contents. Trump's new condition appears to reverse that approach, though it remains unclear if it was part of the original agreement.

The deal has drawn criticism from non-proliferation experts who argue it could spark a nuclear arms race in the volatile Middle East. Al Jazeera noted that the International Atomic Energy Agency was not involved in the bilateral agreement, and it is unclear how guardrails against proliferation will be enforced. Saudi Arabia is not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, raising questions about how it will access key nuclear technology and uranium.

The deal also has economic implications. The New York Times reported that Westinghouse, which filed for bankruptcy in 2017, stands to benefit from growing support for nuclear power and the Saudi deal. The company is well-positioned to supply nuclear technology to the kingdom.

Political Context

Trump's transactional foreign policy has been a hallmark of his second term. BBC News reported that the US has ratcheted up economic competition with adversaries like China and Russia, and the nuclear pact with Saudi Arabia sends a signal that Washington wants to keep regional allies in the fold, even if it means angering Israel. Analysts cited by the BBC said that Middle Eastern countries are determined to develop nuclear infrastructure, and the US is recognizing that it must offer alternatives to Chinese or Russian cooperation.

The deal represents a major victory for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has sought a nuclear agreement with the US for years as part of a broader campaign to strengthen ties with the West. BBC News noted that MBS said in 2018 that if Iran develops nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia should follow suit, underscoring the strategic importance of the deal for the kingdom.

What Officials and Groups Are Saying

President Trump's social media post on Thursday stated that the nuclear deal is conditioned on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords. The administration has not released the text of the agreement, and it is unclear whether this condition is legally binding or a political statement. The Washington Post reported that Saudi Arabia has not publicly responded to Trump's condition, and it remains uncertain whether the kingdom will agree to normalize relations with Israel as a prerequisite.

Critics of the deal have raised concerns about nuclear proliferation. Al Jazeera reported that analysts worry the deal lacks strong enough guardrails to prevent an arms race. The US and Saudi Arabia are signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, but the IAEA was not involved in the bilateral agreement.

Yusuf Can, a Middle East expert at consulting firm Amena Strategies, told BBC News that the US is essentially telling Saudi Arabia that it does not have to work with China and can work with Washington instead. This reflects the administration's focus on countering Chinese influence.

Timeline

  • 2017: Westinghouse files for bankruptcy protection.
  • 2020: Abraham Accords signed, normalizing Israel's relations with UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Saudi Arabia does not join.
  • 2025: Trump returns to office, prioritizes transactional foreign policy and economic competition with China.
  • July 22, 2026: US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman sign a 30-year nuclear cooperation 123 agreement.
  • July 23, 2026: Trump posts on social media that the nuclear deal is conditioned on Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, throwing the pact into doubt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 123 agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia?

A 123 agreement is a nuclear cooperation deal under Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act, allowing American companies to transfer nuclear technology to another country. The US and Saudi Arabia signed such an agreement on July 22, 2026, for civilian nuclear energy. Al Jazeera

What are the Abraham Accords?

The Abraham Accords are a series of agreements brokered by the Trump administration in 2020 that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Saudi Arabia has not joined the accords. The Hill

Why did Trump add this condition now?

Trump's condition appears to reverse the initial approach of the deal, which reportedly did not require Saudi normalization with Israel. The reason for the change is unclear, but it may reflect domestic or Israeli pressure. NYT

What are the risks of the nuclear deal?

Critics worry the deal could spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, especially given Iran's nuclear program. The IAEA was not involved, and Saudi Arabia is not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, raising proliferation concerns. Al Jazeera

How does this affect US-Israel relations?

The deal initially angered Israel because it gave Saudi Arabia nuclear technology without requiring normalization. Trump's new condition may ease Israeli concerns, but it is unclear if Saudi Arabia will accept. BBC

What Happens Next

The fate of the US-Saudi nuclear deal now hinges on whether Saudi Arabia agrees to normalize relations with Israel as a condition. The kingdom has not publicly responded to Trump's demand, and it is unclear if the condition is part of the signed agreement or a new political requirement. If Saudi Arabia refuses, the deal could collapse, potentially pushing the kingdom to seek nuclear cooperation with China or Russia. The coming days will reveal whether Trump's transactional approach can bridge the gap between the two Middle Eastern powers or whether the pact will unravel. Readers should watch for official statements from Riyadh and the release of the deal's text for clarity.