Former President Donald Trump has stated that a proposed nuclear deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia is contingent on Saudi Arabia normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel. The deal, according to Trump, would not allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium. However, nonproliferation experts have expressed concerns that the agreement lacks sufficient safeguards to prevent enrichment to weapons-grade levels.
Israeli officials have welcomed the demand for normalized ties as a positive step. Yet analysts argue that the overall nuclear deal remains unfavorable for Israel, citing potential security risks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet commented on the agreement.
Critics warn that the US-Saudi nuclear deal could trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, potentially unsettling regional allies such as Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Reports also suggest that the US government may be reconsidering or backtracking on the deal. The situation remains fluid, with implications for Middle East stability and US-Iran relations.