Former US President Donald Trump has stated that Saudi Arabia must recognize Israel as part of any agreement to help the kingdom develop nuclear energy. Trump said the landmark nuclear cooperation deal is dependent on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
The Abraham Accords were brokered by the Trump administration in 2020 and led to diplomatic ties between Israel and countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Saudi Arabia has not yet joined the accords, though there have been discussions about potential normalization.
Trump made the comments while discussing his foreign policy approach. He emphasized that any nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia must include recognition of Israel as a condition. The former president did not provide further details on the proposed agreement or timeline.
The statement comes amid ongoing efforts by various parties to expand the Abraham Accords and encourage more Arab nations to establish formal relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia, as a major regional power, has been seen as a key potential participant.
The nuclear energy deal would involve US assistance to Saudi Arabia in developing civilian nuclear power. Such agreements typically include safeguards to prevent the development of nuclear weapons. Trump’s remarks highlight the linkage between nuclear cooperation and diplomatic normalization with Israel.