Former U.S. diplomat breaks down Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-07-23 17:52:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump Ties U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal to Abraham Accords, Clashing with Saudi Demands
President Trump has introduced a new condition for a U.S.-Saudi nuclear agreement, stating that the deal will not proceed unless Saudi Arabia signs the Abraham Accords and normalizes relations with Israel. This move directly conflicts with longstanding Saudi policy, as Saudi officials have repeatedly said they will not normalize relations with Israel unless there is a credible pathway to a Palestinian state.
During a recent interview, Timothy Lenderking, former U.S. Special Envoy to Yemen, addressed the implications of Trump’s position. Lenderking, who has extensive experience negotiating with Saudi officials, emphasized that the Saudis remain firm in their requirement for progress toward a Palestinian state before any normalization with Israel. He noted that, despite ongoing discussions about nuclear cooperation and normalization, the Saudis have not seen their threshold for a credible path to Palestinian statehood met and are expected to maintain this stance.
Lenderking’s remarks highlight the disconnect between Trump’s stated condition and the reality of Saudi policy. When asked if the nuclear deal would move forward under Trump’s terms, Lenderking responded that the Saudis would not proceed with any arrangement that excludes a credible pathway to a Palestinian state.
This development underscores the complexities of U.S.-Saudi relations and the broader dynamics of Middle East diplomacy. Trump’s insistence on linking the nuclear deal to the Abraham Accords places the agreement in jeopardy, given Saudi Arabia’s unwavering position on the Palestinian issue.
In summary, President Trump’s newly introduced condition for the U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal is at odds with Saudi demands, raising questions about the feasibility of the agreement and the future of normalization efforts in the region.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/former-u-s-diplomat-breaks-down-houthi-attacks-on-red-sea-shipping