Trump Urges Saudi Arabia to Normalize Relations with Israel for Nuclear Deal

In a recent statement, President Donald Trump emphasized that the United States will not proceed with a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia unless the kingdom takes steps to normalize its relations with Israel, aligning with the framework of the Abraham Accords. During a press interaction on Friday, Trump was questioned about the timing of the US Department of Energy's announcement regarding the nuclear deal, which was made earlier in the week without the stipulation concerning Israel. Trump clarified, stating, "No, nobody got out ahead," indicating that the discussions had been in line with his administration's expectations. He reiterated the necessity for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, which he described as having been notably successful, adding, "But it’s time now that they do it." This statement comes in the wake of a nuclear cooperation agreement signed between Washington and Riyadh aimed at establishing a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia, which was announced just a day prior to Trump's comments.

Following the signing of the nuclear cooperation deal, which Trump characterized as a significant partnership, he took to social media to assert that Saudi Arabia's normalization of relations with Israel was a prerequisite for the nuclear agreement to move forward. He maintained that while he did not discuss the Abraham Accords with Energy Secretary Chris Wright before the deal was finalized, it was an understood condition among all parties involved. The Saudi government has yet to officially respond to Trump's latest remarks linking the nuclear deal to the normalization of relations with Israel. Historically, Saudi Arabia has maintained that it will not establish formal ties with Israel until there is a clear and viable path toward Palestinian statehood, a condition that the current Israeli government has been resistant to acknowledge.