RIYADH — The United States is no longer conditioning civil nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia on the kingdom recognizing Israel, Reuters reports. The shift marks a major policy reversal and raises concerns in Jerusalem and on Capitol Hill.
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During President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Riyadh, a centerpiece of the discussions will be a framework for civil nuclear development in the kingdom. But unlike in prior negotiations under both Trump’s and Biden’s previous terms, normalization with Israel is no longer on the table as a prerequisite.
Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the talks, said the move reflects Riyadh’s firm stance: no diplomatic ties with Israel without a pathway to Palestinian statehood. That condition has only hardened as the war in Gaza continues to inflame public opinion in the Arab world.
Senator Lindsey Graham pushed back, writing on X: “I will not support any defense agreement with Saudi Arabia that doesn’t include recognition of Israel.”
Despite the loosened conditions, a deal remains elusive. Saudi Arabia refuses to sign a Section 123 Agreement — a standard U.S. non-proliferation requirement that would bar the kingdom from enriching uranium or reprocessing spent fuel, two potential paths to nuclear weapons.
One workaround reportedly under discussion is a “black box” arrangement, where only U.S. personnel would control enrichment technology on Saudi soil.
Meanwhile, a senior U.S. official told families of Israeli hostages this week that the window for Israeli involvement in a broader regional pact is rapidly closing.
“If Israel doesn’t come to its senses,” the official said, “the price of missing out will be higher than ever before. The Deal of the Millennium will be finalized without them.”
The warning, reported by Israel’s Channel 12, rattled families who fear that American leverage over Hamas and regional actors may wane if Washington sidelines Jerusalem to close other strategic deals.
The urgency is driven in part by economic incentives. Saudi Arabia wants nuclear power to free up oil for export, while Trump is urging the kingdom to finalize a U.S. investment package of up to $1 trillion. In return, Riyadh could receive over $100 billion in American arms.
Also looming: Iran. Vice President J.D. Vance told reporters that U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are “so far, so good,” as Washington tries to contain Tehran’s uranium enrichment and reintroduce Iran to the global economy — another variable that could reshape the Middle East power balance.
As for Israel, one senior negotiator said bluntly: “The train is already moving. Whether Jerusalem gets on is up to them.”
I voted for Trump 3 times, and I would still vote for Trump over any Democratic candidate, but in the Republican primaries we should have voted DeSantis. Trump 45’s foreign policy was A+, Trump 47’s foreign policy is C-. C- is better than Obama/Biden’s F, but C- is still bad.
Why does Saudi Arabia, where oil is more plentiful than water, need a civilian nuclear power reactor? It’s the first step to nuclear weapons. This is why, until now, the US insisted on normalization with Israel first. Has something changed?
Ha! Humans.
“Put not your trust in the great,
in mortal man who cannot save.” Psalms146:3
Trump is losing it.
Saudi recognition of Israel can wait. Iran is the issue, let’s see what developes. The 2 state delusion , if that’s what Saudis want is a nonstarter. Never happen.
Reminder
In case you forgot to remember.
Why do we wait in TSA lines at the airport?
Ummmmm. 911
Both Saudi & Iran are huge energy producers & don’t need civilian nuclear energy programmes so it’s obviously for military purposes.
I think if the Saudis want to diversify their energy sources they should consider solar.
No need for agitation, Saudi Arabia can make deals but Israel doesn’t need Arabia. Israel will NEVER agree to immediate end of war with Gaza nor create a Pali state. What’s the earthquake if Trump makes a deal with them?
It was intended to be a negotiation chip and nothing more. It just got played as a “concession” in order to wring something out of the Sa’uds. What exactly, we do not know.
Israel already trades with complementary economies in the region. There is no benefit to inclusion in a pan-Arab forum where the only common denominator is hatred of Israel.
Last term soon after inaguration, the news showed a bunch of robed head toweled Saudis dancing Arab Style (elbows interlocked) along with then President Trump. They also had their palms on some kind of ball light.
“….senior U.S. official told families of Israeli hostages this week that the window for Israeli involvement in …..
Who is this official with a filthy mouth? Or is Reuters making this up?
It’s actually very good the last thing Israel needs is to agree to all of Saudi demands
Trump has proven to be a step or two ahead of everyone else. Let’s see what happens, if anything at all.