President Donald Trump said the proposed nuclear deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia cannot be approved unless the kingdom normalizes relations with Israel. The remark adds a major condition that had not been publicly highlighted when the agreement was announced.
Trump’s statement connects two sensitive regional issues: US-Saudi nuclear cooperation and the broader push for formal ties between Arab states and Israel. By linking them, he signaled that diplomatic recognition is part of the administration’s expectations for the deal to move ahead.
The added requirement could make the process more politically complex. Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Israel has long been closely watched, and any effort to formalize ties carries major regional and domestic significance.
The comments are likely to reshape discussion around the agreement, shifting attention beyond nuclear cooperation alone to the wider diplomatic balance in the Middle East. Based on the available details, it remains unclear how quickly any approval process could advance or what exact terms would be required.
