Trump ties Saudi nuclear deal to Israel ties

July 24, 2026

2–3 minutes

Summary

Trump said a U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear deal depends on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords and recognizing Israel.

Why this matters

The agreement links U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation to one of the region’s most sensitive diplomatic goals: Saudi recognition of Israel. It also raises nonproliferation questions because the deal, as described by people familiar with it, does not include an added international inspection measure.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that a new U.S.-Saudi agreement on a civilian nuclear program would require Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.

In a social media post, Trump said the deal did not allow uranium enrichment. “The agreement will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords,” he wrote. He added, “The United States is not opposed to Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities.”

Two people familiar with the matter said the agreement would be submitted to Congress for review and was expected to last 30 years, with U.S. firms involved in developing the program. One of the people, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the deal could allow construction of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia after a joint U.S.-Saudi study.

A second person familiar with the decision said the agreement did not include the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, which allows greater monitoring, inspections, and verification.

Saudi officials have said normalizing relations with Israel would require a clear path to Palestinian statehood. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Palestinian statehood as incompatible with Israel’s security.

The Saudi Energy Ministry said Wednesday that the agreement would support efforts to diversify energy sources, advance technology, and expand cooperation and investment between the two countries.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday in Manila that the agreement would help ensure Saudi Arabia works with U.S. companies, rather than “competitors,” on its civil nuclear program. China, South Korea, France, and Russia are among countries Riyadh could also consider.

“We’re not the only show in town, but we’re the best show in town,” Rubio said. “We want to make sure that it’s our companies they’re picking.”

Trump has sought to expand the Abraham Accords, which in 2020 established formal ties between Israel and three Arab countries. His effort to add Saudi Arabia has been complicated by the war in Gaza and the nearly 5-month-old U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, though his administration has said it remains optimistic about securing a deal before the end of his second term.

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Trump ties Saudi nuclear deal to Israel ties

Nonproliferation experts have raised concerns that the absence of such guardrails could allow enrichment to weapons-grade levels.

Full story +

President Donald Trump said Thursday that a new U.S.-Saudi agreement on a civilian nuclear program would require Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.

In a social media post, Trump said the deal did not allow uranium enrichment. “The agreement will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords,” he wrote. He added, “The United States is not opposed to Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities.”

Two people familiar with the matter said the agreement would be submitted to Congress for review and was expected to last 30 years, with U.S. firms involved in developing the program. One of the people, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the deal could allow construction of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia after a joint U.S.-Saudi study.

A second person familiar with the decision said the agreement did not include the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, which allows greater monitoring, inspections, and verification.

Saudi officials have said normalizing relations with Israel would require a clear path to Palestinian statehood. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Palestinian statehood as incompatible with Israel’s security.

The Saudi Energy Ministry said Wednesday that the agreement would support efforts to diversify energy sources, advance technology, and expand cooperation and investment between the two countries.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday in Manila that the agreement would help ensure Saudi Arabia works with U.S. companies, rather than “competitors,” on its civil nuclear program. China, South Korea, France, and Russia are among countries Riyadh could also consider.

“We’re not the only show in town, but we’re the best show in town,” Rubio said. “We want to make sure that it’s our companies they’re picking.”

Trump has sought to expand the Abraham Accords, which in 2020 established formal ties between Israel and three Arab countries. His effort to add Saudi Arabia has been complicated by the war in Gaza and the nearly 5-month-old U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, though his administration has said it remains optimistic about securing a deal before the end of his second term.
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