Opinion & Analysis
The farce of Trump’s nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia
Photo via Mondoweiss
Trump Administration Links Saudi Nuclear Deal to Israel Normalization
The Trump Administration signed an agreement in July to supply Saudi Arabia with nuclear material and equipment for a civilian nuclear program. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated the agreement upheld "highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation." However, the deal lacked robust oversight mechanisms and assigned the U.S., rather than the International Atomic Energy Agency, responsibility for preventing weapons diversion.
President Trump subsequently tied the entire agreement to Saudi normalization with Israel following backlash from pro-Israel advocates. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated Trump had not discussed this condition with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when adding it. According to reporting, Israel was not part of original negotiations, and Trump unilaterally imposed the normalization requirement after facing criticism from pro-Israel quarters.
If Trump maintains this condition, analysts assess the deal will likely fail, as Saudi Arabia has made Palestinian statehood a prerequisite for normalization—a position Israel and the U.S. appear unwilling to accept. Nonetheless, the controversy is expected to significantly impact Gulf region geopolitics and broader Middle Eastern stability.
Summary curated by Times of Palestine. The full story belongs to its publisher.
