The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has submitted an agreement with Saudi Arabia on civilian nuclear energy to Congress for approval. Washington is reportedly maintaining its demand that Riyadh normalize relations with Israel as a condition for implementing the nuclear cooperation.
According to U.S. media reports, Trump sent the agreement reached with Saudi Arabia under the framework of a peaceful nuclear energy program to Congress for review and approval.
The agreement reportedly requires Riyadh to join the Abraham Accords, which seek to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, in order for the deal to take effect.
Nuclear Cooperation Could Span Decades
The U.S. Department of Energy announced on July 22 that an agreement had been reached to support Saudi Arabia’s peaceful nuclear energy program.
The cooperation, which is planned to continue for decades, is expected to create significant opportunities for U.S. companies to participate in Saudi Arabia’s nuclear energy projects.
Normalization and Enrichment Restrictions for Riyadh
Trump had previously stated that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Abraham Accords was important for nuclear cooperation. The U.S. president also said that the agreement did not cover uranium enrichment activities.
According to information reported by U.S. media, Trump’s decision to explicitly raise the normalization condition came as an unexpected development for both American negotiators and the Saudi government.
As a result, alongside nuclear energy cooperation between Washington and Riyadh, the normalization of Saudi-Israeli relations has emerged as one of the key issues that could determine the future of the agreement.
