A newly announced US-Saudi Arabia nuclear cooperation agreement has been thrown into uncertainty after President Donald Trump said the deal will only move forward if Saudi Arabia normalises relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords.
Related: US and Saudi Arabia Reach Historic Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
The new condition was announced by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who told reporters that “if they don’t join the Abraham Accords, the deal is off.” According to CNN, the requirement was not included when the agreement was unveiled earlier this week and was reportedly not discussed with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before Trump’s latest remarks.
Leavitt defended the move, describing Trump as “the final dealmaker” and saying the president had raised the issue during previous conversations with Saudi officials, even though he has not spoken with the crown prince since making the public announcement.
The unexpected shift could complicate negotiations between Washington and Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly signalled that formal diplomatic recognition of Israel remains contingent on meaningful progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state. That position has become even more entrenched following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, making the new US condition a significant obstacle to the proposed nuclear agreement.
The civilian nuclear deal had been viewed as a cornerstone of broader US-Saudi cooperation, strengthening energy, technology and strategic ties between the two countries. Adding a geopolitical requirement introduces fresh uncertainty over whether the agreement can proceed in its current form.
For investors, the development underscores how geopolitical negotiations are becoming increasingly interconnected. The outcome could influence not only US-Saudi relations but also regional diplomacy, energy markets and broader stability in the Middle East, particularly as tensions involving Iran continue to escalate.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
