Trump, Saudi Civil Nuclear Talks Delinked From Israel

In a surprising foreign policy move, former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly decoupled civil nuclear discussions with Saudi Arabia from the kingdom’s formal recognition of Israel — a significant shift with deep geopolitical implications.

• Trump separated Saudi nuclear cooperation from Israel normalization.

• Shift contrasts with Biden’s strategy of tying Saudi nuclear access to diplomatic ties with Israel.

• Talks signal broader U.S.-Saudi strategic alignment under Trump-era policy.

• Raises concerns over nuclear proliferation and regional security dynamics.

• Israel’s role and reaction to the nuclear discussions remain cautiously observed.

• Trump's approach reemerges as a 2024 campaign talking point amid Middle East tensions.

Saudi Arabia has long pursued nuclear energy for peaceful purposes — primarily to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on oil. However, U.S. cooperation on nuclear technology requires stringent agreements under the “123 Agreement”, ensuring that the recipient state won’t pursue nuclear weapons.

The U.S. has traditionally insisted that countries signing such deals must adhere to the “gold standard” — a commitment to forgo enriching uranium or reprocessing spent fuel. These are sensitive nuclear activities that could potentially be diverted for weapons development.

During Trump’s presidency, nuclear talks with Saudi Arabia gained momentum. What set this era apart was Trump’s willingness to decouple the negotiations from the Abraham Accords process, which aimed to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab states, including Saudi Arabia.

• Trump did not require Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel as a precondition for nuclear cooperation.

• His administration viewed nuclear energy as a means to solidify U.S.-Saudi strategic ties and counter Chinese and Russian influence.

• Trump officials, including Jared Kushner, worked behind the scenes to push both the Abraham Accords and nuclear talks as separate but parallel tracks.

The move to untangle civil nuclear talks from diplomatic normalization was seen as a practical step:

• Saudi Arabia has domestic red lines regarding recognition of Israel without a Palestinian state.

• Trump prioritized regional anti-Iran alliances over formal diplomatic ceremonies.

• By separating the two, Trump hoped to advance energy and defense cooperation with Riyadh more rapidly.

• Critics argue that relaxing conditions for Saudi nuclear cooperation could trigger a regional arms race.

• Iran’s existing nuclear program adds to tensions and security dilemmas.

• Saudi Arabia gaining access to nuclear technology — even for civilian use — could shift regional power balances.

• Israel remains wary, given the potential for long-term weaponization.

• Decoupling nuclear cooperation from Israel recognition undermines leverage for broader Middle East peace efforts.

• It also signals U.S. flexibility or inconsistency in foreign policy approaches between administrations.

Israel, although supportive of normalization deals under the Abraham Accords, remains sensitive to any nuclear capabilities in the region.

• Under Trump, Israeli officials expressed quiet concern over Saudi Arabia’s nuclear ambitions.

• Israel fears any loophole in the U.S.-Saudi deal could set a precedent for other Arab nations.

• However, public opposition was muted to preserve ties with Washington and support the broader anti-Iran coalition.

For Saudi Arabia, civil nuclear energy is about more than power generation — it’s a statement of technological independence and regional prestige.

• Riyadh seeks partnerships that allow for uranium enrichment on its soil — a dealbreaker for many U.S. officials.

• Trump’s administration reportedly showed greater openness to Saudi preferences.

This has also raised eyebrows in global watchdog communities, who fear the erosion of non-proliferation norms.