U.S. and Saudis sign nuclear deal, contingent on joining Abraham Accords

Washington — The U.S. and Saudi governments have signed a commercial nuclear deal that could allow Saudi Arabia to have a civilian nuclear program on its soil in cooperation with American companies, the U.S. Department of Energy announced Wednesday. But a day later, President Trump said in a Truth Social post that the deal would not allow the Saudis to enrich uranium, and he stipulated the deal "is totally subject" to Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel.

The text of the agreement, which has not yet been released, will go to Congress for review.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed what the Trump administration calls a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement, along with a safeguard agreement that the Energy Department says will lay the groundwork for a multibillion-dollar partnership to boost Saudi energy capacity. The deal could set the stage for a nuclear program for energy and other civilian purposes, not to build nuclear weapons.

CBS News previously reported the expected signing, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

"These agreements reflect our two nations' shared commitment to strengthening U.S.-Saudi commercial relations, delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad," Wright said in a statement. "Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world's best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States."

Mr. Trump on Thursday added that approval of the deal is contingent upon Saudi Arabia signing on to the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements that were reached during the president's first administration to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab nations. It's unclear whether the Saudis were aware of this when signing, but it was not mentioned publicly until Thursday morning.

"The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!) being made between the United States Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia, which pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE (and others) already have, will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords," Mr. Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "The United States is not opposed to Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement, "Saudi Arabia's joining of the Abraham Accords would be an historic leap forward