Trump says Saudi nuclear deal bars enrichment, requires Israel normalization
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Newsletters Axios Local Show Axios Pro Axios Live The Axios Show Login Axios All topics Axios Search Updated 13 mins ago - World Saudi Arabia nuclear deal hinges on Israel pact, Trump says Barak Ravid email (opens in new window) sms (opens in new window) facebook (opens in new window) twitter (opens in new window) linkedin (opens in new window) bluesky (opens in new window) Add Axios on Google Add Axios as your preferred source to
Add Axios on Google President Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
President Trump claimed Thursday the new nuclear deal the U.S. signed with Saudi Arabia will not include uranium enrichment and requires the kingdom normalize its relations with Israel.
Why it matters: Trump is responding to two of the bigger criticisms of the deal: that it could open the door to nuclear enrichment and that Washington gave up leverage to push a peace deal with Israel .
What they are saying: "The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!) being made between the United States Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia, which pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE (and others) already have, will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords," Trump wrote on Truth Social .
Driving the news: U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the deal Wednesday in Washington after more than a year of negotiations.
Yes, but: The Wall Street Journal reported that the agreement also includes a joint U.S.–Saudi study on possible future uranium enrichment in the country.
The IAEA said in a statement that it was notified of a plan to ask the agency to carry out "verification measures" tied to the bilateral agreement.
The big picture: The nuclear negotiations began under the Biden administration as part of a broader deal that included a U.S.–Saudi defense treaty and required Saudi Arabia sign a peace deal with Israel.
The other side: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement an hour after Trump's post claiming the joint war, Israel and the U.S. launched against Iran has created the possibility to expand peace in the Middle East.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with White House press secretary Leavitt's comments, Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement and the IAEA's statement.
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