Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that a civilian nuclear cooperation deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia is contingent upon the kingdom normalizing relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords.

Trump's assertion, made via his Truth Social account, introduces a new condition to the agreement, which was publicly announced just a day prior by the U.S. Department of Energy. The deal, described as a multi-billion dollar partnership for a decades-long civilian nuclear program, has faced scrutiny due to its opaque nature and the potential implications for nuclear non-proliferation.

The former president's statement has cast further confusion over the accord, especially as Saudi Arabia has not immediately responded to his claim. A move by Riyadh to normalize ties with Israel would signify a significant shift in its long-held policy opposing such a prospect.

The U.S. Department of Energy had previously stated that Washington and Riyadh had signed a "peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement" and a "bilateral safeguard agreement." This deal is subject to approval by the U.S. Congress. Reports indicated the agreement might permit Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium domestically, a departure from the U.S. policy of generally opposing the transfer of enrichment technology to countries that do not already possess it.

However, Trump appeared to contradict these reports in his social media post, stating unequivocally, "There will be no enrichment of material!" He further clarified, "The United States is not opposed to Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities."

Uranium enrichment, a process necessary for creating nuclear fuel, is not prohibited under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to which both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are signatories. However, when conducted at higher levels, enrichment can also be used for the development of nuclear weapons. Iran's enrichment activities, for instance, have been a central point of contention in U.S.-Israel relations.

Saudi Arabia has expressed a long-standing desire for a civilian nuclear program to support its goals of reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The nation's pursuit of nuclear energy is part of a broader strategy to diversify its economy and energy sources.

Nuclear non-proliferation advocacy groups have previously voiced concerns regarding the potential implications of such agreements, particularly regarding the transfer of sensitive nuclear technologies and the risk of diversion for military purposes. The specific details of the U.S.-Saudi agreement remain largely undisclosed, fueling ongoing debate and scrutiny.