Trump ties Saudi nuclear deal to Israel normalization

President Donald Trump on Thursday tied U.S. approval of a civil nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia to Riyadh normalizing relations with Israel, casting the accord into uncertainty. Markets and oil traders were set to reassess geopolitical risk; reaction pending.

"The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!) being made between the United States Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia, which pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE (and others) already have, will be approved," the president wrote on his social platform. "But is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords."

Officials said the pact had been treated as effectively finalized roughly 24 hours earlier and would have allowed Saudi Arabia to build civilian nuclear plants and pursue enrichment programs for non-military uses.

Approval contingent on Abraham Accords

Saudi leaders have long resisted joining the Abraham Accords, Saudi officials said, and talks stalled after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Saudi leaders have sought guarantees on a future Palestinian state and cited domestic public opinion as a constraint on normalization efforts.

Members of Congress have warned that expanding enrichment programs raises proliferation risks and complicates U.S. oversight of civilian nuclear technology, lawmakers said. If Riyadh rejects the new condition, the civil nuclear deal could stall and U.S. diplomatic aims in the region may be set back.

Watch for a formal Saudi government response and a U.S. statement by July 30, 2026.