U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a proposed civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia will proceed only if the kingdom joins the Abraham Accords, linking the deal to normalization with Israel.
"The agreement being worked out between the United States Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia, dealing only with non-military use, as already exists in Iran and the United Arab Emirates (and others), will be approved, but it is completely contingent upon Saudi Arabia joining the highly respected and very successful Abraham Accords," Trump wrote.
The statement appeared intended to address domestic and international concerns over the agreement. By tying civilian nuclear cooperation to the Abraham Accords, Trump echoed a condition previously championed by former President Joe Biden while responding to Israeli concerns. No timeline for Saudi Arabia's potential accession was announced.
Trump also warned the Iran-backed Houthis following recent attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. "I am very disappointed in them because until now they have acted in a very professional and smart manner," Trump said. "Please consider this an official notice: if they do it again, the United States will hold Iran responsible, because the Houthis are an arm of Tehran. A heavy military punishment will be imposed on Iran, and of course on the Houthis themselves."
The remarks followed a U.S. Announcement of an agreement with Saudi Arabia to assist in developing a civilian nuclear program. Unlike the Biden administration's proposal, the current agreement does not require Saudi normalization with Israel and does not include the so-called "gold standard" Safeguards designed to prevent diversion of civilian nuclear technology for military purposes.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that alongside the deal allowing American companies to develop civilian nuclear infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, the two countries had signed a separate safeguards agreement. However, the oversight arrangement was concluded only between the United States and Saudi Arabia, rather than with the International Atomic Energy Agency, which some nonproliferation experts considered less stringent.
Negotiations over a civilian nuclear program have continued for several years. During the Biden administration, assistance was offered as part of a broader package including Saudi normalization with Israel. After those negotiations stalled, the Trump administration continued talks with Riyadh and reportedly removed the normalization requirement. A draft agreement was finalized in October 2025, but signing was delayed due to the war with Iran and congressional concerns.