The deal between the US and Saudi Arabia to help the Gulf kingdom develop nuclear energy is dependent on Riyadh recognising the State of Israel, President Donald Trump has said.

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‎”The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!)… which pertains only to non-military use… will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords,” Trump said on Truth Social.

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‎It was not immediately clear if the condition of joining the accords was stipulated in the text of the nuclear deal – which has not been released – or that Saudi Arabia had agreed to that condition.

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‎Saudi Arabia has not responded to Trump’s remarks so far.

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‎White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump had discussed the condition to Saudi leaders on numerous previous occasions.

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‎Trump’s comments come after criticism from experts that the US-Saudi deal could run the risk of future nuclear proliferation in an already unstable region.