Saudis must recognise Israel for nuclear deal, says US president

Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday a proposed US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement would require Saudi Arabia to normalise relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.

Trump said the deal would not permit uranium enrichment and would be approved only if Riyadh joined the accords. “The civil nuclear deal (there will be no enrichment of material!)... which pertains only to non-military use... will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords,” Trump said on Truth Social.

Saudi has repeatedly said it will recognise Israel only if there is a credible path to Palestinian statehood, an idea rejected by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

The proposed 30-year agreement would see US companies help develop Saudi’s civilian nuclear programme. However, people familiar with the negotiations said it could eventually allow the kingdom to build a uranium enrichment facility after a joint US-Saudi study.

The pact, expected to be submitted to Congress, has drawn concern from non-proliferation experts because it does not include the IAEA’s Additional Protocol, which provides for enhanced inspections and monitoring.

Saudi said the deal would diversify ener­gy sources, adv­ance nuclear technology and expand bilateral investment. Critics warn uranium enrichment, while not itself sufficie­nt to build a nuclear weapon, could open the door to future weaponisation. —Agencies