Saudis must recognise Israel for nuclear deal, says Trump
The landmark nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia is dependent on Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords recognising the State of Israel, President Donald Trump has said.
The landmark nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia is dependent on Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords recognising the State of Israel, President Donald Trump has said.
"The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!)... which pertains only to non-military use... will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
"The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!)... which pertains only to non-military use... will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump's remarks come after criticism from experts that the deal could run the risk of future nuclear proliferation in an already unstable region.
Trump's remarks come after criticism from experts that the deal could run the risk of future nuclear proliferation in an already unstable region.
Saudi Arabia has previously said it would not recognise Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Saudi Arabia has previously said it would not recognise Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
In 2020, Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, which secured the historic normalisation of relations between Israel and two Arab nations, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.
In 2020, Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, which secured the historic normalisation of relations between Israel and two Arab nations, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.
Sudan, Morocco and Kazakhstan have since also signed the accords.
Sudan, Morocco and Kazakhstan have since also signed the accords.
Saudi Arabia has not so far responded to Trump's remarks.
Saudi Arabia has not so far responded to Trump's remarks.
The deal, whose signing was announced on Wednesday, is described as a "peaceful nuclear co-operation agreement" that will provide "great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy programme" by the US energy department.
The deal, whose signing was announced on Wednesday, is described as a "peaceful nuclear co-operation agreement" that will provide "great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy programme" by the US energy department.
The nuclear issue has been at the centre of the months-long US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
The nuclear issue has been at the centre of the months-long US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told CBS News in 2018 that his own nation was not planning to acquire a nuclear weapon, but that "without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible".
Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told CBS News in 2018 that his own nation was not planning to acquire a nuclear weapon, but that "without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible".
Earlier US media reports suggested the deal could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium in the future - which can be used as fuel for power plants, but also potentially to make nuclear bombs. However, Trump's remarks appear to deny this.
Earlier US media reports suggested the deal could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium in the future - which can be used as fuel for power plants, but also potentially to make nuclear bombs. However, Trump's remarks appear to deny this.
The agreement will now be sent to the US Congress for review.
The agreement will now be sent to the US Congress for review.
Some lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are expected to oppose the deal, though Trump's Republican Party controls both the upper and lower chambers and opponents of the deal do not appear to have the votes needed to block it.
Some lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are expected to oppose the deal, though Trump's Republican Party controls both the upper and lower chambers and opponents of the deal do not appear to have the votes needed to block it.