On Thursday, July 23, 2026, President Donald Trump announced that the recently signed US-Saudi civilian nuclear cooperation deal is contingent upon Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords. This statement came less than 24 hours after the agreement was announced by the US Department of Energy, which described it as a "peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership" alongside a bilateral safeguard agreement to launch a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia.

Trump's announcement marked a significant shift from earlier disclosures about the deal, prompting questions about whether this represents a reversal or a new condition. The Abraham Accords, initially signed by the UAE and Bahrain in December 2020 during Trump's first presidential term, involve several Arab countries normalizing ties with Israel.

The deal has faced criticism from nuclear non-proliferation groups and lawmakers concerned it could trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, especially if it permits domestic uranium enrichment. Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera's Mike Hanna noted that Trump's latest remarks have added to the confusion surrounding the already unclear details of the agreement.

President Trump stated the deal is "totally subject" to Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, effectively linking the nuclear cooperation to broader regional diplomatic normalization.

Sources