Key facts
- President Trump submitted a civil nuclear energy agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress.
- The deal is contingent on Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel and joining the Abraham Accords.
- The classified agreement was signed last month by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart.
- Congress has 90 days to review the agreement, which can take effect without a vote if not rejected.
- Concerns exist that the deal could enable Saudi uranium enrichment, increasing proliferation risks.
President Donald Trump has submitted a classified civil nuclear energy agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review, while insisting that the deal will not proceed unless the kingdom normalizes relations with Israel and joins the Abraham Accords. The agreement, signed last month by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart, allows U.S. companies to export civilian nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.
Trump's insistence on Saudi normalization with Israel as a condition for the nuclear pact has raised doubts about its final approval. The Abraham Accords, brokered by the U.S. in 2020 and 2021, expanded diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority nations. Saudi Arabia had previously indicated that normalization with Israel would require the establishment of a clear path for Palestinian statehood, a condition rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns that the deal could potentially enable Saudi Arabia to enrich its own uranium, leading to increased nuclear proliferation and competition. The agreement, if approved, is expected to last 30 years and involve U.S. firms in the program's development. Congress has 90 days of session to review the classified document, and the agreement can take effect without a vote unless Congress passes a joint resolution rejecting it.
Separately, US Senator Chris Van Hollen accused Trump of profiting from the war on Iran, calling it 'pure corruption' and stating the White House had become a 'pay-to-play casino.' Israel also expelled Dutch representatives from a Gaza coordination centre following the Netherlands' ban on imports from Israeli settlements. Israeli forces reportedly advanced into Syria and conducted an air strike in Lebanon, with ongoing artillery shelling and strikes reported in southern Lebanon. Yemeni government forces claimed to have repelled a Houthi attack in Taiz province.