Lead

US President Donald Trump has said that a civilian nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia is "totally subject" to the kingdom joining the Abraham Accords and normalising relations with Israel. The statement, posted on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, came a day after the United States and Saudi Arabia announced a landmark agreement to establish a civilian nuclear programme in the kingdom.

Coverage comparison

The announcement was reported by multiple outlets, with most focusing on Trump's condition. Al Jazeera described the statement as casting "further confusion" over the deal, while the BBC noted that the remarks came after criticism from experts about the risk of nuclear proliferation. Dawn framed the demand as "morally reprehensible," citing Israel's actions in Gaza and its refusal to accept an independent Palestinian state. The South China Morning Post said the demand "immediately cast doubt" on the agreement, given Riyadh's long-standing position. The Jerusalem Post reported the condition alongside details of the deal, including a ban on uranium enrichment. TASS and The Hindu reported the statement without additional commentary.

Key claims

  • Trump wrote 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." This was reported by the BBC, Al Jazeera, the Jerusalem Post, TASS, and The Hindu.
  • The US Department of Energy announced on Wednesday that Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement, commonly known as a 123 agreement, alongside a bilateral safeguards agreement. This was reported by Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post.
  • The agreement has been submitted to the US Congress for consideration, as reported by TASS and the Jerusalem Post.
  • The Abraham Accords were brokered by the US during Trump's first term, leading to normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. This was reported by the BBC, Al Jazeera, TASS, and The Hindu.
  • Saudi Arabia has long refused to normalise relations with Israel without a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood, a position that has hardened since the Gaza war. This was reported by the South China Morning Post, Dawn, and The Hindu.
  • White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said negotiations are ongoing and that the condition is one the president has spoken about with Gulf and Arab allies. This was reported by Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post.
  • Trump told the Financial Times that he believes normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel is possible, saying it is "something that both countries like very much. It could happen." This was reported by TASS.

Perspectives

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has not publicly responded to Trump's condition. The kingdom has long maintained that it will not recognise Israel without an independent Palestinian state, a position that has hardened since the Gaza war, as reported by The Hindu and the South China Morning Post.

White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the condition is one the president has raised with Gulf and Arab allies, and that negotiations are ongoing, as reported by Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post.

Israeli Prime Minister's Office

The Prime Minister's Office released a statement saying that "Saudi Arabia's joining of the Abraham Accords would be a historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East," as reported by the Jerusalem Post.