Trump places new condition on signed Saudi nuclear deal, says country must join Abraham Accords
Trump Places New Condition on Signed Nuclear Pact
Activelifezero.com – President Donald Trump has placed a new condition on the signed agreement with Saudi Arabia regarding their nuclear cooperation. This development comes just one day after the initial framework was finalized and signed by both nations. The latest requirement stipulates that Riyadh must join the Abraham Accords diplomatic initiative before the deal can move forward fully. This unexpected addition has created fresh momentum in Middle East negotiations.
Speaking through his social media platform on Thursday, the president clarified that while the document carries official signatures, its ultimate approval depends on one critical factor. He emphasized that the arrangement “will be approved” but remains “totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords.” This statement has sent ripples through diplomatic circles in Washington and Riyadh.
Nuclear Enrichment Clarifications
Trump also addressed concerns about nuclear fuel processing within the agreement. Although the pact allows the Kingdom to enrich its own fuel for civilian power reactors, the president insisted there would be “no enrichment” at this initial stage. This clarification directly responds to Israeli officials who have expressed skepticism about the deal. It also prepares the ground for anticipated scrutiny from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
The foundation for this agreement was established on Wednesday when Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart signed the document. This pact creates a civilian nuclear pathway for the Gulf nation. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced Trump’s position on Thursday, calling the president “always the final dealmaker.” She warned that the entire agreement is currently “off” pending diplomatic normalization with Israel.
“The president just put out this statement a few hours ago. I don’t believe he’s had a call with MBS in the hours since. However, this is something that he has raised in previous conversations and has also said many times in the past,” Leavitt said.
Leavitt noted that Trump has not yet spoken with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since announcing the new requirement. The Crown Prince has been firm that he will not normalize ties with Israel without a clear path toward a Palestinian state. This position creates a potential diplomatic obstacle for the nuclear deal to proceed.
Technical Provisions and Background
According to sources, Trump’s nuclear negotiating team was caught off guard by this sudden addition to the agreement. Previously reported details indicate that a joint American-Saudi panel will evaluate whether uranium enrichment makes commercial sense before implementation begins. Additionally, American workers will build the necessary infrastructure without transferring sensitive technology to the Saudis.
US officials disclosed that the deal includes limitations on how comprehensively the Saudi program can be inspected. Significantly, unlike the United Arab Emirates which signed the Additional Protocol in 2009, Saudi Arabia faces no obligation to follow that standard international agreement. This difference underscores the distinctive character of current negotiations versus earlier Gulf nuclear cooperation efforts.
Historically, Washington has required normalization as a prerequisite for nuclear cooperation. This expectation persisted even during the Biden administration, though the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault complicated matters for Riyadh, making normalization “untenable.” As a result, Biden-era negotiators pursued a “less-for-less” strategy to secure the deal despite incomplete diplomatic relations.
The impact of this social media announcement on the signed document remains unclear. CNN has reached out to both the Saudi embassy and the White House to determine if the deal pauses until Riyadh commits to the Accords. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office praised the development, declaring that “Saudi Arabia’s joining of the Abraham Accords would be an historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East.”
This story has been updated with additional information. Davis Winkie’s work at CNN is supported by a partnership between Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners (JFP). CNN retains full editorial control of the reporting. CNN’s Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
