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Saudis must recognise Israel for nuclear deal, says Trump

July 23, 2026

President Donald Trump announced that a US-Saudi nuclear cooperation deal is contingent on Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel by joining the Abraham Accords, a normalization framework established during his first term. The agreement, which Trump emphasized will not permit uranium enrichment, aims to help Saudi Arabia develop civilian nuclear energy capabilities while advancing American economic and strategic interests in the region. The deal has drawn criticism from experts and some lawmakers who worry about nuclear proliferation risks in the Middle East, though Trump's Republican Party controls Congress and opposition appears insufficient to block approval.

Who is affected

  • Saudi Arabia (particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's government)
  • The State of Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration
  • United States (Congress, American companies in the nuclear energy sector)
  • Iran (indirectly, as regional nuclear competitor)
  • Palestine and Palestinian interests
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
  • Existing Abraham Accords signatories (UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco, Kazakhstan)
  • Regional Middle Eastern nations concerned about nuclear proliferation

What action is being taken

  • The US Department of Energy is sending the nuclear agreement to the US Congress for review
  • The IAEA is preparing to implement verification measures for the bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement
  • The White House is continuing conversations with Saudi counterparts about joining the Abraham Accords

Why it matters

  • This deal represents a significant shift in US nuclear proliferation policy and Middle Eastern geopolitics. It could fundamentally alter the regional power balance by providing Saudi Arabia with nuclear capabilities, potentially triggering an arms race given Saudi Arabia's previous statements about matching Iran's nuclear development. The conditional linkage to the Abraham Accords could either advance Israeli-Arab normalization or stall both initiatives, as Saudi Arabia has historically demanded Palestinian statehood as a prerequisite. The agreement also marks a departure from longstanding US demands regarding nuclear safeguards in the region.

What's next

  • The US Congress will review the agreement
  • The White House will continue conversations with Saudi Arabia about joining the Abraham Accords
  • The IAEA will receive a formal request to implement verification measures and will work with the US and Saudi Arabia on implementation

Read full article from source: BBC