Saudi Arabia's nuclear deal with the U.S. threatened by Trump's new demand
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman reacts next to U.S. President Donald Trump during the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

President Donald Trump threw a curveball at Saudi Arabia.

According to The Washington Post, Trump added a bombshell condition in a supposedly finalized civil nuclear agreement with the Middle Eastern nation. As of Thursday morning, it now requires the kingdom to normalize relations with Israel and join the Abraham Accords to receive U.S. nuclear technology.

Trump announced the condition via Truth Social, stating, "The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!) being made between the United States Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia, which pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE (and others) already have, will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords."

The move has thrown the entire agreement into chaos.

Saudi Arabia has consistently refused to join the Abraham Accords if there is no guarantee of Palestinian Statehood, the Middle East Institute wrote. Saudi leaders previously pursued normalization with Israel before the October 7 Hamas attack, but talks have since stalled, the report added.

The nuclear deal itself has generated congressional controversy over proliferation risks and weapons capability expansion.

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