Reuters: US waives precondition for Saudi normalization with Tel Aviv
U.S. Officials Say Trump Management Has Decoupled Nuclear Cooperation with Riyadh from Normalization of Ties with Tel Aviv
According to a report by the English section of Webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Reuters, the U.S. is no longer pressuring Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel as a condition for progress in negotiations on civilian nuclear cooperation.Two informed sources disclosed this ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the region next week.
Dropping this demand—that Saudi Arabia establish diplomatic ties with Israel—is seen as a major concession by washington. During Joe Biden’s presidency, nuclear talks were part of a broader agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, contingent on normalization efforts and Riyadh’s push for a defense pact with Washington.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stated it will not recognize Israel without the establishment of an autonomous Palestinian state—a stance that has thwarted the Biden administration’s efforts to expand the Abraham Accords. Signed during Trump’s first term, these accords led to the normalization of relations between israel and the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco.
Progress toward Saudi recognition of Israel has stalled due to widespread anger in Arab nations over the ongoing war in Gaza. Simultaneously occurring, nuclear negotiations faced obstacles over U.S. concerns about nuclear proliferation.
In a possible sign of a new approach,U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated during his April visit to Saudi Arabia that both countries were on “the path toward a civilian nuclear agreement.”
When asked by reuters about these developments, James Hewitt, spokesperson for the U.S National Security Council replied: “When there is something to announce,you will hear it from the president himself.” He added that any reports on this matter remain speculative.”
