The US–Saudi nuclear deal: An energy partnership caught in a diplomatic ultimatum

The United States and Saudi Arabia took a step toward nuclear cooperation on 22nd July 22 2026, when U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed a Section 123 Agreement. It creates the legal basis for civilian nuclear trade and comes with a bilateral safeguards agreement. Washington presented it as the foundation of a decades-long, multibillion-dollar partnership favouring American companies.  One day later, however, President Donald Trump introduced a condition that was absent from the original announcement: Saudi Arabia must normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords or “the deal is off.” The ultimatum turns what had looked like a completed nuclear framework into a politically conditional bargain, creating uncertainty for Riyadh, Congress, […]