On July 23, 2026, former U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social that a civil nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia is 'fully conditioned' on Saudi Arabia's ratification of the Abraham Accords, which would normalize relations with Israel. Trump's statement, made while he is a candidate for the 2028 presidential election, revives a key condition from his previous administration's Middle East policy.
The Abraham Accords, brokered by the Trump administration in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Saudi Arabia, however, has not joined the accords, citing the need for progress on a Palestinian state. Trump's post did not specify details of the nuclear deal, but U.S. officials have previously discussed Saudi interest in civilian nuclear technology for energy diversification.
As of July 24, 2026, there has been no official response from the Saudi government or the Israeli government regarding Trump's statement. The Biden administration, currently in office, has pursued its own diplomatic efforts in the region, including discussions on Saudi-Israel normalization, but has not publicly linked them to a nuclear deal. Trump's post appears to be a campaign promise rather than a current policy proposal.
The civil nuclear agreement in question would involve U.S. assistance to Saudi Arabia in developing nuclear power for energy, under strict nonproliferation safeguards. Critics have raised concerns about potential enrichment capabilities, while supporters argue it would reduce Saudi reliance on oil. Trump's condition adds a political dimension to an already complex negotiation.
