The United States is reportedly conditioning a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia on the kingdom's recognition of Israel, according to multiple diplomatic sources. The deal, part of broader efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Arab states, would allow Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear energy under U.S. supervision.
As of July 2026, negotiations are ongoing, with U.S. officials emphasizing that any nuclear transfer must include strict nonproliferation safeguards and a commitment from Riyadh to formally recognize Israel. Saudi Arabia has not publicly agreed to these terms, and discussions remain sensitive amid regional tensions.
The potential agreement mirrors the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan normalize ties with Israel. Saudi Arabia, as a leading Arab and Muslim nation, is seen as a key prize for U.S. diplomacy, but its demands for a pathway to Palestinian statehood complicate the talks.
