The U.S. will not proceed with a civilian nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia unless the kingdom recognizes Israel and joins the Abraham Accords.
This condition transforms a technical energy agreement into a high-stakes diplomatic lever. By tying nuclear capabilities to the Abraham Accords, the administration is attempting to reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics and secure a historic normalization between two of the region's most influential powers.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday, July 23, 2026 [1], that the agreement is contingent on this diplomatic shift. "If the kingdom does not join them, the deal is off," Leavitt said [1].
President Donald Trump said the agreement would take effect only if Saudi Arabia joined the U.S.-brokered accords [1]. The move signals a transactional approach to nuclear diplomacy, where the promise of civilian nuclear technology is used to incentivize a specific foreign policy outcome.
Despite the conditions set by the White House, reports regarding the current status of the paperwork vary. A spokesperson for the Department of Energy said the civilian nuclear cooperation agreement was signed Wednesday [4] and will be sent to Congress for review [4]. However, other reports indicate the deal remains effectively stalled pending the required recognition of Israel [1].
If the deal moves forward, it could allow Saudi Arabia to develop civilian nuclear energy infrastructure. Such an agreement typically involves the transfer of nuclear technology and materials, but it often includes strict safeguards to prevent the development of weapons-grade capabilities.
The administration's stance places the onus on Riyadh to make a definitive decision on its relationship with Israel before the U.S. provides the necessary legal and technical frameworks for nuclear cooperation [1].
“"If the kingdom does not join them, the deal is off."”
The U.S. is utilizing a 'grand bargain' strategy, leveraging Saudi Arabia's desire for nuclear energy independence to achieve a major geopolitical victory in the Abraham Accords. This approach risks alienating a key energy partner if the diplomatic demands are viewed as too steep, but it offers a path toward a broader regional security architecture that isolates shared adversaries.
