00:00On the Saudi Arabian nuclear deal, what steps is the U.S. taking to get Saudi Arabia to sign the
00:07Abraham Accords?
00:08Sure. Well, the President himself has spoken on this many times.
00:13His true social post this morning, and I will read it for those at home who missed it.
00:17The civil nuclear deal, there will be no enrichment of material, an important point being made between the Department of
00:23Energy and Saudi Arabia,
00:24which pertains only to non-military use, will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very
00:32respected and successful Abraham Accords.
00:36The United States is not opposed to civil nuclear facilities, as we all know.
00:40Look, this is a condition that the President has spoken about many times with our Gulf and Arab allies.
00:47He wants to see these countries sign the Abraham Accord.
00:50It was one of the most historic accomplishments of his first term, and it continues to be a long-term
00:55goal of his to expand those accords,
00:57to ultimately come to a place where the Middle East can be a peaceful and stable region.
01:01And, yes, this deal with Saudi Arabia, the energy deal, is contingent on this condition as far as the President
01:08is concerned.
01:08So we'll continue to talk with our Saudi counterparts to get the deal finalized and hopefully see them joining the
01:14Abraham Accords very soon.
01:16Thank you. Gabe.
01:17Caroline, thank you. With regards to the Saudi nuclear deal, why was that condition not mentioned yesterday when the energy
01:23secretary announced it?
01:24Well, look, the President is always the final dealmaker, as you know, and this is something that he has mentioned
01:30on numerous occasions.
01:31Going back, I can provide you with those statements.
01:33And he has said if they don't join the Abraham Accords, the deal is off.
01:38So we'll continue to have those conversations with our Saudi counterparts moving forward.
01:42So the deal is that if Saudi Arabia doesn't join, and have you any indication that Saudi Arabia is even
01:48considering this?
01:49Again, we've spoke, the President has spoken directly with the Saudis about this in numerous conversations in the past,
01:54and the administration will continue to engage in those conversations.
01:57Would Saudi Arabia be exempt from international inspections as part of this deal if it moves forward?
02:02I don't want to comment on the specifics of the deal, as we're still, again, as I just said,
02:06talking especially about this very important condition that the President raised this morning.
02:10Okay.
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