Chicago – July 23, 2026
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a newly signed U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement is conditional on Riyadh normalizing relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords. The statement, posted on Truth Social, introduced a fresh diplomatic prerequisite just one day after the 30-year nuclear pact was formally signed, casting uncertainty over its future.
Trump wrote that the deal âwill be approved, but is entirely contingent upon Saudi Arabia participating in the highly regarded and effective Abraham Accords,â referring to the U.S.-brokered framework that has normalized ties between Israel and several Arab nations since 2020. Officials indicated the agreement would not permit uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia, addressing Israeli security concerns.
Diplomatic Implications
The condition complicates negotiations, as Saudi leaders have previously stated that normalization with Israel would require an irreversible pathway to Palestinian statehoodâa demand not addressed in Trumpâs announcement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the potential Saudi inclusion in the Abraham Accords as âa historic leap forward,â though Riyadh has not confirmed its position.
