The White House has confirmed that a proposed civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia will only move forward if the Kingdom agrees to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel, linking the landmark energy deal to one of Washington’s biggest foreign policy objectives in the Middle East.

Nuclear Agreement Now Conditional

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump has made it clear that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Abraham Accords is a key condition for finalizing the nuclear partnership. According to the administration, if Riyadh does not recognize Israel and establish formal diplomatic ties, the civilian nuclear deal “is off.”

The proposed agreement would allow U.S. companies to support Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear energy program, helping the Kingdom diversify its energy sector while strengthening strategic cooperation between Washington and Riyadh. The deal is also expected to create significant commercial opportunities for the U.S. nuclear industry.

Major Diplomatic Hurdle

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stated that it will not normalize relations with Israel without meaningful progress toward the creation of an independent state. That position makes the White House’s new condition a significant obstacle to completing the agreement.

Analysts say the move revives the Trump administration’s efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, which normalized Israel’s relations with several Arab nations during the president’s first term.

Regional and Congressional Concerns

The proposed nuclear partnership has also attracted scrutiny from lawmakers and regional observers, with some expressing concerns about nuclear proliferation and the possibility that the agreement could fuel a broader arms race in the Middle East. Israeli political figures and security experts have urged Washington to ensure strict safeguards are included in any final agreement.

Outlook

The White House maintains that discussions with Saudi officials will continue, but the administration insists that normalization with Israel remains a central requirement. As negotiations proceed, the future of the U.S.-Saudi nuclear agreement will likely depend not only on energy cooperation but also on broader diplomatic progress in one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical regions.

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