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L'Orient-Le Jour
08-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Under Trump, Saudi civil nuclear talks delinked from Israel recognition, sources say
The United States is no longer demanding Saudi Arabia normalize ties with Israel as a condition for progress on civil nuclear cooperation talks, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit next week. Dropping the demand that Saudi Arabia establish diplomatic relations with Israel would be a major concession by Washington. Under former President Joe Biden, nuclear talks were an element of a wider U.S.-Saudi deal tied to normalization and to Riyadh's goal of a defense treaty with Washington. The kingdom has repeatedly said it would not recognize Israel without a Palestinian state, frustrating Biden administration attempts to expand the Abraham Accords signed during Trump's first term. Under those accords the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco normalized relations with Israel. Progress towards Saudi recognition of Israel has been halted by fury in Arab countries over the war raging in Gaza. The nuclear talks had also stumbled over Washington's non-proliferation concerns. In a possible sign of a new approach, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that Saudi Arabia and the United States were on a "pathway" to a civil nuclear agreement when he visited the kingdom in April. "When we have something to announce, you will hear it from the President. Any reports on this are speculative,' U.S. National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt told Reuters in response to a request for comment. Saudi Arabia's government media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Even without the normalisation requirement for civil nuclear talks to progress, and despite unpacking the issue from a wider defence treaty, a deal is not yet in close reach, one of the sources said. One sticking point is Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act that allows cooperation with other countries developing civil nuclear capabilities but specifies nonproliferation criteria, including limiting uranium enrichment. Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, has said that the kingdom would seek to enrich uranium and sell the product. One of the sources said the kingdom was still not willing to sign a so-called 123 agreement, which would prevent enrichment or reprocessing of plutonium made in reactors – two routes that have the potential to culminate in nuclear weapons. Secretary Wright previously told Reuters that a 123 agreement would be a prerequisite to any deal. However, there are several ways to structure a deal to achieve both countries' objectives, Wright has said. One solution being discussed is a "black box" arrangement where only U.S. personnel would have access to a uranium enrichment facility on Saudi soil, the same source said. Sell more oil Riyadh wants to build nuclear generation capacity as it seeks to diversify its economy away from oil. Nuclear power could also help free up more crude barrels for export. Arms control advocates have previously expressed concern about a Saudi nuclear program because de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said the kingdom would seek to quickly develop nuclear weapons should its regional rival Iran do so. The U.S. and Iran are currently holding talks over Tehran's nuclear program, which Washington and Western allies say is geared towards producing weapons. Iran insists it is purely for civil purposes. U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday described the talks with Iran as "so far, so good" and said there was a deal to be made that would reintegrate Iran into the global economy while preventing it from getting a nuclear weapon. Saudi Arabia and the United States are set to discuss a number of blockbuster economic deals during Trump's visit next week, with the U.S. poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, sources have told Reuters. Trump has said Riyadh should "round up" a planned investment package in the U.S. to $1 trillion from an initial $600 billion. The trip is Trump's second visit abroad, after a short trip to Rome for the pope's funeral, since he returned to office in January. In his first term a lavish trip to Saudi Arabia marked his first overseas stop. Trump fostered close ties with Gulf states, including Saudi Arabi,a during his first term. The country invested $2 billion in a firm formed by Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and former aide, after Trump left office, and there are plans to build two Trump towers in Jeddah and Riyadh.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Exclusive-Under Trump, Saudi civil nuclear talks delinked from Israel recognition, sources say
By Pesha Magid RIYADH (Reuters) - The United States is no longer demanding Saudi Arabia normalise ties with Israel as a condition for progress on civil nuclear cooperation talks, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit next week. Dropping the demand that Saudi Arabia establish diplomatic relations with Israel would be a major concession by Washington. Under former President Joe Biden, nuclear talks were an element of a wider U.S.-Saudi deal tied to normalisation and to Riyadh's goal of a defence treaty with Washington. The kingdom has repeatedly said it would not recognise Israel without a Palestinian state, frustrating Biden administration attempts to expand the Abraham Accords signed during Trump's first term. Under those accords the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco normalised relations with Israel. Progress towards Saudi recognition of Israel has been halted by fury in Arab countries over the war raging in Gaza. The nuclear talks had also stumbled over Washington's non-proliferation concerns. In a possible sign of a new approach, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that Saudi Arabia and the United States were on a "pathway" to a civil nuclear agreement when he visited the kingdom in April. "When we have something to announce, you will hear it from the President. Any reports on this are speculative,' U.S. National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt told Reuters in response to a request for comment. Saudi Arabia's government media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Even without the normalisation requirement for civil nuclear talks to progress, and despite unpacking the issue from a wider defence treaty, a deal is not yet in close reach, one of the sources said. One sticking point is Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act that allows cooperation with other countries developing civil nuclear capabilities but specifies nonproliferation criteria including limiting uranium enrichment. Saudi Arabia's energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman has said that the kingdom would seek to enrich uranium and sell the product. One of the sources said the kingdom was still not willing to sign a so-called 123 agreement, which would prevent enrichment or reprocessing of plutonium made in reactors - two routes that have the potential to culminate in nuclear weapons. Secretary Wright previously told Reuters a 123 agreement would be a prerequisite to any deal. However, there are several ways to structure a deal to achieve both countries' objectives, Wright has said. One solution being discussed is a "black box" arrangement where only U.S. personnel would have access to a uranium enrichment facility on Saudi soil, the same source said. SELL MORE OIL Riyadh wants to build nuclear generation capacity as it seeks to diversify its economy away from oil. Nuclear power could also help free up more crude barrels for export. Arms control advocates have previously expressed concern about a Saudi nuclear programme because de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said the kingdom would seek to quickly develop nuclear weapons should its regional rival Iran do so. The U.S. and Iran are currently holding talks over Tehran's nuclear programme, which Washington and Western allies say is geared towards producing weapons. Iran insists it is purely for civil purposes. U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday described the talks with Iran as "so far, so good" and said there was a deal to be made that would reintegrate Iran into the global economy while preventing it from getting a nuclear weapon. Saudi Arabia and the United States are set to discuss a number of blockbuster economic deals during Trump's visit next week, with the U.S. poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, sources have told Reuters. Trump has said Riyadh should "round up" a planned investment package in the U.S. to $1 trillion from an initial $600 billion. The trip is Trump's second visit abroad, after a short trip to Rome for the pope's funeral, since he returned to office in January. In his first term a lavish trip to Saudi Arabia marked his first overseas stop. Trump fostered close ties with Gulf states including Saudi Arabia during his first term. The country invested $2 billion in a firm formed by Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and former aide, after Trump left office, and there are plans to build two Trump towers in Jeddah and Riyadh.
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Under Trump, Saudi civil nuclear talks delinked from Israel recognition, sources say
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as he signs executive orders and proclamations in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 5, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo RIYADH - The United States is no longer demanding Saudi Arabia normalise ties with Israel as a condition for progress on civil nuclear cooperation talks, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit next week. Dropping the demand that Saudi Arabia establish diplomatic relations with Israel would be a major concession by Washington. Under former President Joe Biden, nuclear talks were an element of a wider U.S.-Saudi deal tied to normalisation and to Riyadh's goal of a defence treaty with Washington. The kingdom has repeatedly said it would not recognise Israel without a Palestinian state, frustrating Biden administration attempts to expand the Abraham Accords signed during Trump's first term. Under those accords the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco normalised relations with Israel. Progress towards Saudi recognition of Israel has been halted by fury in Arab countries over the war raging in Gaza. The nuclear talks had also stumbled over Washington's non-proliferation concerns. In a possible sign of a new approach, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that Saudi Arabia and the United States were on a "pathway" to a civil nuclear agreement when he visited the kingdom in April. "When we have something to announce, you will hear it from the President. Any reports on this are speculative,' U.S. National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt told Reuters in response to a request for comment. Saudi Arabia's government media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Even without the normalisation requirement for civil nuclear talks to progress, and despite unpacking the issue from a wider defence treaty, a deal is not yet in close reach, one of the sources said. One sticking point is Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act that allows cooperation with other countries developing civil nuclear capabilities but specifies nonproliferation criteria including limiting uranium enrichment. Saudi Arabia's energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman has said that the kingdom would seek to enrich uranium and sell the product. One of the sources said the kingdom was still not willing to sign a so-called 123 agreement, which would prevent enrichment or reprocessing of plutonium made in reactors - two routes that have the potential to culminate in nuclear weapons. Secretary Wright previously told Reuters a 123 agreement would be a prerequisite to any deal. However, there are several ways to structure a deal to achieve both countries' objectives, Wright has said. One solution being discussed is a "black box" arrangement where only U.S. personnel would have access to a uranium enrichment facility on Saudi soil, the same source said. SELL MORE OIL Riyadh wants to build nuclear generation capacity as it seeks to diversify its economy away from oil. Nuclear power could also help free up more crude barrels for export. Arms control advocates have previously expressed concern about a Saudi nuclear programme because de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said the kingdom would seek to quickly develop nuclear weapons should its regional rival Iran do so. The U.S. and Iran are currently holding talks over Tehran's nuclear programme, which Washington and Western allies say is geared towards producing weapons. Iran insists it is purely for civil purposes. U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday described the talks with Iran as "so far, so good" and said there was a deal to be made that would reintegrate Iran into the global economy while preventing it from getting a nuclear weapon. Saudi Arabia and the United States are set to discuss a number of blockbuster economic deals during Trump's visit next week, with the U.S. poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, sources have told Reuters. Trump has said Riyadh should "round up" a planned investment package in the U.S. to $1 trillion from an initial $600 billion. The trip is Trump's second visit abroad, after a short trip to Rome for the pope's funeral, since he returned to office in January. In his first term a lavish trip to Saudi Arabia marked his first overseas stop. Trump fostered close ties with Gulf states including Saudi Arabia during his first term. The country invested $2 billion in a firm formed by Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and former aide, after Trump left office, and there are plans to build two Trump towers in Jeddah and Riyadh. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Al Arabiya
13-04-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
US won't tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran, energy secretary says amid renewed talks
The United States will not accept a nuclear-armed Iran, Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Al Arabiya in an exclusive interview, as backchannel negotiations between Washington and Tehran resumed over the weekend in Muscat, Oman. "We're not going to tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran—not just for the Middle East, but for the world," Wright said, adding that it is "way too early to tell" whether the new diplomatic engagement will lead to a fresh deal. The talks, held in Oman, mark the first indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran since President Trump returned to office. U.S. officials described the discussions as "constructive," but no formal outcome has been announced. Wright, who is visiting Riyadh ahead of President Trump's expected trip to Saudi Arabia next month, stressed the need for strong leadership in dealing with Tehran. "We had four years of let's appease Iran... What happened? Iranian oil exports surged... you've seen what's happened with Hamas and Hezbollah and the Houthis and a rapid acceleration of the Iranian nuclear program. None of those were good results." He said the current administration would take a different approach. "Now we have a strong, firm leadership in the United States that's again pro prosperity, pro peace, and a very firm line on Iran." Wright's visit to Saudi Arabia comes as Washington and Riyadh move closer to a broader energy cooperation agreement, including a potential deal on commercial nuclear development. "In the short run, we'll sign a broader agreement... Nuclear is certainly one of those areas," he said. "To get a specific agreement to partner on commercial nuclear development in Saudi Arabia, that'll take a little bit longer, that'll be months, not weeks." He confirmed that any nuclear cooperation would require a "123 Agreement," a legally binding framework under the U.S. Atomic Energy Act. "That won't happen without that agreement... We'll need a 123 agreement and a broader, specific framework." Wright also addressed the sharp decline in oil prices, which dipped below $60 per barrel last week after the U.S. President's tariffs spooked markets. "Oil prices are... people looking ahead in the marketplace," he said. "I think what you're seeing today is... probably an overly large concern about economic growth going forward." Despite the drop, he rejected falling prices as an overreaction. "I can't predict oil prices, that's for sure... But people always take a trend, however long that trend is, and extrapolate that trend. The world just doesn't work that way." He cited the resilience of the U.S. shale sector—a space he knows well, having previously served as CEO of Liberty Energy, North America's second-largest hydraulic fracturing company. "The best operators with the best locations have very low break even prices... The lower quality operators that have... lower quality marginal... I mean, resources that are much lower quality, their price to break even is much higher." On Russia, Wright said export markets had become a problem for Moscow. "He's [Putin] lost his largest export market for natural gas to Europe. He's got lower oil prices. He's become a pariah around the world. I think it's in Russia's best interest to get to a peace agreement." Asked whether energy diplomacy was truly back on the table, Wright said the message to the Gulf was clear: "American partnership is back. It's stronger... Our interest is America is a strong, resolute ally. American leadership is going to lead to strong economic growth, which leads to strong growth in energy demand, which is great for energy producers and for energy consumers."
