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Saudis must recognise Israel for nuclear deal, says Trump

BBC World · 2026-07-23

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Former US President Donald Trump stated that Saudi Arabia must recognize Israel to secure a civil nuclear deal with the United States, which is intended for non-military use. • Why it matters: This requirement highlights the ongoing geopolitical shifts in the Middle East and the potential for nuclear proliferation concerns amid regional tensions, particularly involving Iran. • What to watch next: Observers should monitor the Biden administration's response to Trump's statements and any developments regarding Saudi Arabia's potential recognition of Israel as part of the nuclear deal negotiations.

**Title: Trump States Saudi Recognition of Israel is Key to Nuclear Deal**

In a significant development regarding Middle Eastern diplomacy, former US President Donald Trump has asserted that Saudi Arabia's recognition of Israel is a prerequisite for a landmark civil nuclear deal between the United States and the Kingdom. This announcement was made via a post on Truth Social, where Trump emphasized that the deal, which is intended solely for non-military purposes, hinges on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords.

The Abraham Accords, brokered by Trump in 2020, marked a historic shift in relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Since then, Sudan and Morocco have also established normalized relations with Israel. Trump's insistence on Saudi Arabia's participation in these accords reflects ongoing efforts to reshape the geopolitical landscape in the region.

"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 stated. His remarks come amid growing concerns among experts regarding the potential risks of nuclear proliferation in a region already fraught with instability.

The issue of nuclear capabilities has been a focal point in the ongoing tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran. Critics of the proposed deal have voiced apprehensions that it could exacerbate existing conflicts and lead to an arms race in the Middle East.

As the situation evolves, further details regarding the nuclear deal and its implications for regional diplomacy are expected to emerge. The Biden administration, which has taken a different approach to Middle Eastern relations compared to Trump, has yet to publicly comment on Trump's statements or the potential for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel as part of the nuclear agreement framework.

This breaking news story is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Source: BBC World
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