US Advances Civil Nuclear Deal With Saudi Arabia Without Israel Normalization, Raising Israeli Concerns

Israel is closely monitoring advanced negotiations between the Trump administration and Saudi Arabia on a civilian nuclear agreement reportedly no longer contingent on normalization with Israel, marking a departure from the Biden administration's approach. Israeli officials privately acknowledge this as a negative development, viewing the removal of the normalization condition as a loss of leverage over Saudi Arabia and a further erosion of Israel's standing with the Trump White House.

This move is part of a series of US actions seen in Jerusalem as problematic, including the promotion of F-35 fighter jet sales to Turkey and Washington's willingness to compromise on key issues with Iran, such as ballistic missile programs and proxy support. A senior Israeli official told ynet that while a deal with Israel is currently off the table, there remain potential benefits, such as US involvement in building nuclear infrastructure, which could ensure better control over reactors, especially given lessons from Iran.

Former National Security Council head Brigadier General (res.) Yaakov Nagel strongly opposed the deal, emphasizing that any uranium enrichment on Saudi soil is a mistake regardless of oversight. He supports Saudi Arabia having nuclear reactors for electricity but without independent enrichment capabilities, suggesting fuel rods could be supplied and returned externally, similar to arrangements at Iran's Bushehr reactor.

Former senior diplomat and nonproliferation expert Jeremy Issacharoff described the development as "very dangerous," reflecting Israel's diminishing influence in Washington on critical national security issues. He criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu for what appears to be a loss of Israeli sway in the US regarding nuclear nonproliferation in the region.