Trump Conditions U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal on Israel Recognition as 90-Day Congressional Review Looms
Updated
Updated · TIME · Jul 27
Trump Conditions U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal on Israel Recognition as 90-Day Congressional Review Looms
3 articles · Updated · TIME · Jul 27
Summary
A day after Washington and Riyadh signed a civil nuclear pact, Trump said final approval depends on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords and recognizing Israel.
Trump said the condition was always understood and stressed the deal allows no uranium enrichment, framing it as peaceful cooperation for Saudi energy needs and U.S. industry.
Saudi recognition remains doubtful: Riyadh has long tied normalization with Israel to a clear path toward a Palestinian state, and Sen. John Kennedy said the added demand makes the deal unlikely.
Bipartisan criticism is already building, with Kennedy calling the timing dangerous during the renewed Iran war and Sen. Chris Van Hollen labeling the post-signing condition a bait-and-switch.
The agreement now heads to Congress as a 123 deal, triggering a 90-day review period in which lawmakers can try to block it, though overriding a presidential veto would require two-thirds majorities.