Channel 14 reports that President Donald Trump has approved a civilian nuclear plan for Saudi Arabia, citing unnamed sources. The report has sparked concern in Israel.
Channel 14 reported Wednesday evening that President Donald Trump has approved a civilian nuclear plan for Saudi Arabia, citing unnamed sources. The report adds to a cascade of confirmations that have emerged throughout the day, ranging from the New York Times and Wall Street Journal early Wednesday to CNN, which cited a US official confirming Trump's approval, and Reuters, which detailed the deal's terms. The signing is scheduled for 20:30 Jerusalem time — 17 minutes from now — according to a CBS report cited by N12, with US companies set to manage the Saudi nuclear plants.
The story has unfolded rapidly since Wednesday morning. The first reports — from the New York Times at 05:56 Jerusalem — said Trump had decided to separate the civilian nuclear deal from the requirement that Saudi Arabia normalize relations with Israel. By 05:56, the Wall Street Journal confirmed Trump's approval, and Yediot Ahronot reported that the US had signed the agreement. Israel Hayom and N12 then provided additional details, including the 30-year duration and the role of US companies. At 05:56, Reuters reported that the deal permits uranium enrichment on Saudi soil but omits the 'gold standard' clause banning enrichment and the IAEA's Additional Protocol for expanded oversight. A US official confirmed to CNN at 05:56 that Trump had approved the deal. The signing time of 20:30 was set by a CBS report cited by N12 at 05:56. Channel 14's report now adds a domestic Israeli source — albeit unnamed — to the list of confirmations.
The Zioneer has reported on the deal throughout the day, including a Wall Street Journal article at 05:16 Jerusalem, an Israel Hayom report at 07:35, an analyst's assessment at 08:29 calling it a 'severe blow' to Israel without full normalization, and a separate article at 08:10 detailing the 20:30 signing and US management of plants. The reports have consistently noted that the deal does not condition Saudi enrichment on normalization with Israel, diverging from the Biden administration's approach.
While multiple sources now confirm Trump's approval, the actual signing — set for 20:30 — has not yet occurred as of 20:13 Jerusalem. The specific terms regarding enrichment, IAEA oversight, and the absence of a 'gold standard' clause remain as reported by Reuters. The Israeli government has not issued an official response to the latest Channel 14 report.
9 developments
- DevelopingIsrael Hayom reports new details of Trump-Saudi nuclear deal, confirms uranium enrichment on Saudi soil
- DevelopingZioneer analysis: US-Saudi nuclear deal enables uranium enrichment, risks regional arms race
- StrongIsraeli officials warn US allowing Saudi uranium enrichment is 'red line', 'danger to security'
- DevelopingDraft US-Saudi agreement may allow Saudi uranium enrichment without full international safeguards
Source and signal
- Internal intake