Trump stuns Saudis by pinning nuclear deal to Israel ties
President Trump has linked a potential civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia to the kingdom's participation in the Abraham Accords, which involve normalizing relations with Israel. This new condition has created uncertainty regarding the future of the previously announced agreement.
Why it matters
The intersection of nuclear proliferation policy and Middle Eastern diplomatic normalization has significant implications for regional stability and U.S. foreign policy.
US President Donald Trump said that a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia depends on the kingdom recognising Israel, throwing the agreement into turmoil just the day after it was signed.
The apparently new condition comes despite Riyadh having long resisted joining the so-called Abraham Accords with Israel, insisting on a pathway to a Palestinian state.
It was not mentioned in the civilian nuclear deal announced on Wednesday , which had appeared to be a major win for the Saudis even as Mr Trump wages war on Iran over its nuclear program.
But Mr Trump stunned the Saudis with his post on his Truth Social network saying the deal "will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords".
The White House insisted that Mr Trump had previously told Saudi Arabia the deal was contingent on recognising Israel.
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