President Donald Trump added a major condition Thursday to the newly signed U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement, declaring on social media that final approval is “totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords” and normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel.
The surprise assertion comes just one day after the U.S. Department of Energy announced the landmark 30-year pact without mentioning any diplomatic prerequisites regarding Israel.
In his statement, Trump also insisted that the agreement covers only “Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities” and does not permit domestic uranium enrichment, attempting to address nonproliferation concerns raised by experts and lawmakers.
However, adding the requirement creates significant diplomatic friction, as Riyadh has long maintained that establishing formal ties with Israel is contingent on a clear pathway toward Palestinian statehood—a framework repeatedly rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
While Israeli officials had previously expressed alarm over potential nuclear proliferation risks in the region, Netanyahu’s office welcomed the prospect of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords as a historic leap forward for Middle East peace.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the post, describing Trump as the “final dealmaker” who has consistently urged Saudi leadership to join the normalization framework.
