Is the US-Saudi nuclear deal on, or in limbo?

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that a newly agreed United States-Saudi nuclear cooperation deal has been thrown into uncertainty after US President Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia must normalise relations with Israel before the arrangement proceeds. The agreement, announced as a framework for a civilian nuclear programme in the kingdom, would transfer US technology and expertise to help Riyadh generate electricity, reduce domestic reliance on oil and gas, and meet rising demand from sectors such as data centres.

According to Al Jazeera, the deal is expected to run for 30 years, though its full text has not been made public. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy said the agreement supports energy diversification, technology development and investment cooperation. Trump described it as limited to nonmilitary purposes. Media reports cited in the article said the arrangement could potentially involve a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia built by US companies, but Trump’s later comments suggested domestic enrichment may not be included.

The immediate obstacle is political. Saudi Arabia has long said it will not recognise Israel without a credible path to Palestinian statehood, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes an independent Palestinian state. Riyadh had not responded to Trump’s new condition at the time of Al Jazeera’s report. The deal must also be submitted to the US Congress for review, but it is unclear when or whether that will happen.

Al Jazeera also notes broader technical and oversight questions. Saudi Arabia would need secure nuclear fuel supplies, and any enrichment option reportedly depends on a joint two-year US-Saudi study. Reports cited by Al Jazeera say Riyadh has not accepted the IAEA additional protocol for expanded inspections, though it has agreed to bilateral safeguards with Washington.