Saudis must recognise Israel for nuclear deal, says Trump

The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement and a bilateral safeguards agreement, allowing Saudi Arabia to potentially enrich its own uranium for a civilian nuclear program. This deal, expected to last 30 years and involve US firms, was approved by Donald Trump. The agreement comes amid ongoing US efforts to prevent Iran from enriching uranium domestically. The plan will be submitted to Congress for review, where it may face opposition due to concerns about monitoring safeguards. Saudi Arabia has previously stated it would need a nuclear weapon if Iran acquired one. The agreement is not expected to include the enhanced monitoring by the IAEA found in Iran's deal.

US media reports indicate that the Trump administration is expected to announce a deal with Saudi Arabia allowing the Gulf kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear program. This agreement, potentially worth billions to US companies, could permit Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its own soil for fuel production at a US-built facility. This provision would differ from a 2009 agreement with the UAE, which imposed stricter restrictions. The potential deal has raised concerns among nuclear experts and former officials in Israel, a key US ally, and among non-proliferation campaigners, who fear it could lead to Saudi Arabia developing nuclear weapons. The White House has been asked for comment.

President Donald Trump has approved a 30-year nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that could potentially allow the kingdom to enrich uranium for its civilian nuclear program. The deal, expected to be announced soon, involves U.S. firms and may lead to the construction of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia following a joint study. Nonproliferation experts express concern that this capability could open the door to a weapons program, especially given past statements by Saudi Arabia's crown prince. This development follows previous attempts by both Trump and Joe Biden to reach a nuclear deal with the kingdom. The article also notes a recent mutual defense pact between Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan.

The US Department of Energy announced that Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi counterpart Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement and a bilateral safeguards agreement. This deal could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium in the future, a move that comes as the US is engaged in efforts to prevent Iran from enriching uranium domestically. The agreement, which has been in development for years, is expected to expand US nuclear technology exports and create jobs. However, it faces potential opposition in Congress due to concerns about monitoring safeguards. Saudi Arabia has previously stated it would need a nuclear weapon if Iran acquired one, and the US has expressed concern about Riyadh seeking nuclear technology from other nations like China or Russia if a US deal did not materialize.

The United States has announced a significant agreement with Saudi Arabia to establish a civilian nuclear program in the Gulf nation. This deal, signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi counterpart Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, includes safeguards to prevent non-proliferation. The announcement comes amidst ongoing US conflict with Iran, largely stemming from concerns over Tehran's nuclear program, which remains a contentious issue in stalled peace talks. Two specific agreements were signed: one on "peaceful nuclear cooperation" and another on "bilateral safeguards."

The United States and Saudi Arabia have finalized a civilian nuclear cooperation deal, announced by the Trump administration. This agreement, a "historic" accord under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act, involves US companies providing nuclear technology to the kingdom. The US Department of Energy stated the partnership will strengthen commercial relations, create jobs in the US, and uphold high standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation. The deal, described as a multi-billion-dollar, decades-long partnership, will be submitted to Congress for review. Some reports suggest the agreement may permit Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium domestically, a detail not confirmed by the Energy Department and potentially facing opposition.

President Donald Trump stated that a significant civil nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia is contingent upon Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords, which involve recognizing Israel. Trump clarified that the deal, focused solely on non-military nuclear energy use and prohibiting material enrichment, will only be approved if Saudi Arabia participates in the Abraham Accords. This statement follows concerns from experts regarding potential nuclear proliferation in the region. Saudi Arabia has historically maintained that it would not recognize Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Abraham Accords, brokered by Trump in 2020, have led to the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Saudi Arabia has not yet commented on Trump's remarks.

The Trump administration has finalized a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, reversing a long-standing US policy that previously required Saudi normalization with Israel in exchange for nuclear technology. This agreement allows Saudi Arabia to develop its own nuclear infrastructure, including uranium enrichment, without strict enforcement measures to prevent a military program, a departure from previous US agreements. Critics argue this could escalate a regional nuclear arms race. The deal, seen as a transactional foreign policy move by Trump, aims to strengthen US economic influence and keep regional allies, even at the potential cost of angering Israel. Saudi Arabia views this as a victory, securing its nuclear ambitions without concessions on its stance regarding Israel and Palestinian statehood.