Trump backs Saudi nuclear pact without clear Israel condition
Why it matters: The deal could deepen US-Saudi ties and curb China's role, but critics warn it may fuel a regional arms race.
The Trump administration struck a nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia, easing a long-standing US position that tied such an agreement to Saudi normalization with Israel. Trump later posted that the pact depended on Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords, but it was not clear whether that condition appears in the unreleased text or whether Saudi Arabia accepted it. The agreement marks a major win for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has pushed for US nuclear support for years. Critics say the reported terms lack tough safeguards against a future Saudi weapons program, raising concerns in a region already strained by war with Iran and competition among outside powers including China.