President Donald Trump has linked the U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal to a bigger political prize: Saudi recognition of Israel. He said the agreement will move ahead only if Riyadh joins the Abraham Accords, a move that would reshape Middle East diplomacy and deepen pressure on a long-stalled regional conflict.
The original deal, announced as a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, is meant to help Saudi Arabia develop nuclear energy for peaceful use. Trump said there will be no enrichment of nuclear material under the deal, while the White House said the agreement would not stand if Saudi Arabia refused to join the accords.
Saudi Arabia has long resisted recognizing Israel without a clear path to Palestinian statehood, and that position remains one of the biggest obstacles in the region. Israeli leaders welcomed Trump’s remarks, calling Saudi entry into the accords a major step toward peace, though the nuclear issue itself was not the focus of their statement.
The deal has also revived worries about nuclear proliferation. Critics say allowing Saudi Arabia a civilian nuclear program could raise future risks, even if the project is framed as peaceful. Congress is expected to review the agreement, but Trump’s Republican allies control both chambers, making outright rejection unlikely.
