Trump Halts Saudi Nuclear Deal Over Normalization Condition with Israel

Just hours after a ceremonial signing of a multi-year civilian nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, President Donald Trump disrupted the deal by announcing new conditions. On Thursday morning, Trump tweeted that the agreement would only proceed if Saudi Arabia joined the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations with Israel, and emphasized that the deal would not allow uranium enrichment. This announcement surprised both the White House negotiation team and Saudi officials, who had viewed the original agreement as a significant diplomatic achievement enabling Saudi nuclear energy development.

The dramatic reversal followed internal White House turmoil and conservative media criticism questioning why the administration was granting Saudi Arabia a major nuclear milestone without requiring normalization with Israel first. Sources revealed Trump was angry that Energy Secretary Rick Perry led the signing ceremony without informing him in advance or submitting the necessary documents for congressional approval. The Energy Department defended its actions as coordinated and aimed at strengthening the U.S. nuclear industry.

Israeli officials noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had hoped to influence the deal to include normalization terms, although the White House stated Trump and Netanyahu did not directly discuss the announcement. The deal had been the culmination of years of diplomatic efforts delayed by regional tensions and conflict with Iran. Supporters argued the partnership would prevent Saudi Arabia from turning to Russia or China for nuclear technology, while nonproliferation experts and members of Congress expressed concern the original deal lacked requirements for Saudi adherence to the IAEA Additional Protocol, raising proliferation risks in the Middle East.

The broader context includes complex U.S.-Saudi-Pakistan relations involving economic pressures, debt demands, and bailout requests, reflecting the Trump administration's attempt to weave together economic, technological, and geopolitical interests in the region.