US President Donald Trump has announced a major new condition for the recently approved US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement. A day after the deal was formally approved, Trump said Saudi Arabia must recognise Israel by joining the Abraham Accords before the agreement can move forward. He made the announcement in a post on Truth Social, saying the nuclear deal is “totally subject” to Saudi Arabia becoming part of the peace agreement.
What did Trump say about the nuclear deal?
In his Truth Social post, Trump said the civilian nuclear agreement between the US Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia will be approved only if the Gulf kingdom joins the Abraham Accords. He also stressed that the programme is strictly for civilian purposes and will not allow the enrichment of nuclear material for military use.
The agreement is designed to help Saudi Arabia develop a civilian nuclear energy programme with support from American companies, technology and expertise.
Why is Israel’s recognition important?
The Abraham Accords were launched in 2020 to normalise diplomatic, economic and security ties between Israel and Arab countries. Trump has repeatedly said he wants more countries in the Middle East to join the agreement.
However, Saudi Arabia has maintained that it will recognise Israel only after meaningful progress is made towards the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected that demand, making the issue a major obstacle to normalisation.
What is included in the US-Saudi nuclear agreement?
The agreement, known as a 123 Agreement, was signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart. It is expected to remain in force for 30 years and will allow American companies to help build Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme.
The deal is expected to be reviewed by the US Congress before it takes effect.
What happens next?
The future of the nuclear agreement now depends on diplomatic developments between Saudi Arabia and Israel. If Riyadh decides to join the Abraham Accords, the agreement could move ahead. If not, Trump’s latest condition may delay or block its implementation.
The announcement has added a new diplomatic challenge to an already sensitive issue involving nuclear cooperation, regional security and Middle East peace efforts.
First published on: Jul 23, 2026 08:15 PM IST
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Sagar Puri
Sagar Puri is a seasoned Senior Sub-Editor with over four years of newsroom experience, bringing sharp editorial judgment and an eye for detail to every story he handles. Over the years, he has worked across a diverse range of beats, including sports, education, news desk, entertainment, and lifestyle, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the digital news ecosystem.
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