Trump’s Ultimatum: No Saudi Nuclear Deal Without Recognition of Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump informed the Senate overnight, between Tuesday and Wednesday, that he is seeking approval for a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, on the condition that the kingdom announce its recognition of Israel and advance normalization. The Wall Street Journal reported this.

As previously reported, several months ago Trump announced that he was advancing an agreement with the Saudis under which American companies would participate in developing Saudi Arabia’s nuclear infrastructure. The Americans, together with the Saudis, would conduct research to examine the commercial feasibility of establishing an American uranium-enrichment facility in the kingdom, under supervision designed to ensure that sensitive technology is not transferred into Saudi hands and that the program remains solely for peaceful purposes.

The kingdom’s government said it would use the uranium deposits discovered in its territory to meet local electricity and energy needs, thereby “freeing up” a large portion of its oil production for export abroad.

The report overnight contradicts earlier reports claiming that the U.S. president would sign the agreement even if Saudi Arabia did not advance normalization with Israel.

A U.S. administration official confirmed that the president’s position remains unchanged: the nuclear agreement will not move forward unless Saudi Arabia joins the Abraham Accords and establishes open relations with Israel.