GOP Senator Kennedy Questions Trump’s Saudi Nuclear Deal as Israel Condition Threatens Congressional Review
Updated
Updated · Newsweek · Jul 26
GOP Senator Kennedy Questions Trump’s Saudi Nuclear Deal as Israel Condition Threatens Congressional Review
3 articles · Updated · Newsweek · Jul 26
Summary
John Kennedy broke with Trump on Sunday, saying he is "not comfortable" with the newly announced U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement and arguing the timing is wrong while the United States is at war with Iran.
Kennedy said the deal sends a contradictory signal by bombing Iran to stop a nuclear weapon while advancing a nuclear arrangement with Saudi Arabia, even if framed as commercial cooperation.
Trump complicated the pact less than 24 hours after announcing it by requiring Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel, a step Kennedy said is unlikely because Riyadh still links recognition to progress on Palestinian statehood.
Chris Van Hollen attacked the same deal from a different angle, calling the added Israel condition a "bait-and-switch" that changed the terms after Saudi Arabia had already agreed.
Congress must still review the agreement, where lawmakers are expected to scrutinize both proliferation risks and whether the new Israel requirement leaves the deal politically unworkable.