Donald Trump issues Israel ultimatum to Saudi Arabia ahead of nuclear deal

President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Saudi Arabia over their civil nuclear deal, saying Riyadh must join the Abraham Accords to normalise relations with Israel.

The US and Saudi Arabia announced an agreement on Wednesday on civil nuclear power, letting the kingdom enrich uranium and build nuclear reactors using US technology, without requiring the snap UN inspections that Washington has previously demanded from Iran.

The deal has to pass through the US Congress to go into force.

President Trump said: "The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!)...pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE (and others) already have, will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords."

Saudi Arabia's longstanding position has been that it would not sign the Abraham Accords unless there was an agreement on a roadmap to Palestinian statehood.

More to follow...