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A CIVILIAN nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia has been thrown into uncertainty after President Donald Trump said the deal would only proceed if Riyadh recognised Israel and joined the Abraham Accords.
The new condition was announced despite Saudi Arabia’s long-standing refusal to normalise relations with Israel, with Riyadh maintaining that any diplomatic recognition must be accompanied by a pathway towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The requirement was not included in the public nuclear agreement announced on Wednesday, which had been viewed as a major diplomatic achievement for Saudi Arabia as Trump continues to increase pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme.
Trump surprised Riyadh by declaring on his Truth Social platform that the nuclear agreement would be approved, but only if Saudi Arabia joined what he described as the "highly respected and successful" Abraham Accords.
The White House, however, said Trump had previously informed Saudi officials that the nuclear agreement was dependent on recognition of Israel.
"The President is always the final decision-maker on every deal. He has made clear that if they do not join the Abraham Accords, then the deal is off," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Saudi Arabia has yet to issue a response to Trump’s remarks.
If implemented, the agreement to develop Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme is expected to generate billions of dollars in business opportunities for US companies.
However, Trump’s latest statement has raised questions over whether the agreement can move forward.
"Will Saudi Arabia change a position it has held for three years, even three decades? That is highly doubtful," said H.A. Hellyer, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), according to AFP.
Critics have also warned that the agreement could fuel a nuclear arms race in a region already destabilised by decades of conflict and geopolitical rivalry.
The nuclear agreement will be submitted to the US Congress for review.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said all civilian nuclear agreements signed by Washington with foreign countries would include safeguards to ensure the technology is not diverted towards weapons development.
Saudi Arabia, like Iran, has long insisted on its right to develop a civilian nuclear programme. Last year, Riyadh signed a mutual defence pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan.
International policymakers have expressed concern that any move by Iran towards developing nuclear weapons could trigger a wider arms race across the Gulf region.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright dismissed those concerns, saying the agreement meets the highest standards of nuclear safety and non-proliferation controls while providing economic and strategic benefits for Washington.
Trump has also pledged further action against Iran and the Houthi movement if attacks against US interests and regional shipping routes continue. - July 24, 2026
