President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that a newly signed civil nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia prohibits uranium enrichment and is contingent upon the kingdom normalizing relations with Israel. The statement, posted to Truth Social, follows the signing of the deal on Wednesday by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. The agreement provides for American companies to assist in the development of Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program.
While the President asserted that the deal requires Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, the signed text reportedly does not contain a formal link between the nuclear agreement and Israeli normalization. Additionally, reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate the agreement includes a joint study regarding the possibility of future uranium enrichment, contradicting the President's claim that enrichment is barred. The agreement also does not currently require Saudi Arabia to adopt the International Atomic Energy Agency's protocol for unannounced inspections.
The U.S. Department of Energy stated that the deal includes a bilateral safeguards agreement to ensure the program remains limited to peaceful purposes. Secretary Wright maintained that the agreements uphold high standards for non-proliferation. Conversely, critics of the deal have expressed concern that the separation of the nuclear agreement from diplomatic negotiations may reduce U.S. leverage in securing a peace treaty between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Saudi officials have maintained that normalization depends on a path toward Palestinian statehood.