WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a new agreement reached with Saudi Arabia for a civilian nuclear program will require the kingdom to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.
In a post on social media, the Republican president said the deal doesn’t allow for enrichment of uranium. Nonproliferation experts have raised concerns that the deal fails to include guardrails to prevent enrichment of uranium to weapons-grade levels.
Trump's post said the agreement “will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords.” He added that “The United States is not opposed to Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities.”
The Saudis have made clear that normalizing relations with Israel would first require the establishment of a clear path for Palestinian statehood. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea of Palestinian statehood as being untenable for his country's security.
The Saudi Embassy in Washington on Thursday declined to comment on Trump's assertion that the deal will require the kingdom to join the accords.
Trump has sought to build on the 2020 agreements, which expanded the number of Middle East countries with diplomatic ties with Israel. Saudi Arabia is the most important Arab power in the Middle East, and Trump believes the kingdom joining the accords is critical to establishing long-term stability in the region.
The new nuclear deal announced Wednesday is expected to last 30 years and involve U.S. firms in the program’s development. It could allow for the building of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia following a joint U.S.-Saudi study, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The agreement is to be submitted to Congress for review, according to the U.S. and Saudi governments.
The agreement does not include the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, which would allow for more monitoring, inspections and verification, according to a second person familiar with the decision.
The oil-rich kingdom’s Energy Ministry on Wednesday said the agreement bolsters “efforts to diversify energy sources, advance cutting-edge technologies, and expand opportunities for cooperation and investment in ways that serve the mutual interests of the two friendly countries.”
Enrichment isn’t an automatic path to a nuclear weapon — a nation also must master other steps, including the use of synchronized high explosives, for instance. But it does open the door to weaponization, which has fueled concerns over Iran’s program.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Manila on Thursday that the agreement would make certain that Saudi Arabia works with American companies instead of "competitors" on building out its civil nuclear program. China, South Korea, France and Russia are among alternative partners that Riyadh could look to to build its civil nuclear program.
“We’re not the only show in town, but we’re the best show in town,” Rubio said. “We want to make sure that it’s our companies they’re picking.”
Trump has talked up his push to extend the Abraham Accords — the project that formalized commercial and diplomatic ties between Israel and a trio of Arab nations — as key to his plan for bringing long-term stability to the Middle East. But the aftermath of Israel's war in Gaza and the nearly 5-month-old U.S. and Israel war against Iran have complicated Trump's push to expand the accords.
Still, the Trump administration has made clear that it remains optimistic that an agreement with Saudi Arabia on joining the accords can be sealed by the end of Trump’s second term.
Price reported from Manila.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio waves from the top of the steps to his plane to depart at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines, following his visit to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers Meeting,Thursday, July 23, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool Photo via AP)
President Donald Trump arrives to speak at Wheeler High School, Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in Marietta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is investing an additional $500 million into ongoing stadium renovations to improve overall fan experience with an eye toward potentially bringing the Super Bowl, NFL draft, 2031 Women’s World Cup and other major sporting events to Charlotte, North Carolina.
The investment coincides with the team announcing it has reached a long-term extension on a stadium naming rights deal Thursday with Bank of America.
The additional investment in the 30-year-old downtown stadium brings the total cost of renovations to $1.3 billion.
The project is expected to be completed by 2030.
The Panthers released new stadium renderings highlighting enhancements and a broader vision of what is referred to as the new “Charlotte corridor,” which includes a 4,400-seat music venue designed to help make the city a more attractive year-round weekend destination.
“The long-term extension with Bank of America reflects the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to the Carolinas,” Tepper, the owner and chairman of Tepper Sports & Entertainment (TSE), said in a release. “For over three decades, Bank of America Stadium has helped create lasting memories for our fans and we’re excited for them to see what’s ahead. Our goal is to create experiences that enhance the passion and energy of the region while transforming this corridor into a weekend destination for world-class sports, entertainment and community events.”
Bank of America Stadium is currently home to the Major League Soccer’s Charlotte FC, as well as the Panthers.
It regularly hosts concerts as well as the Atlantic Coast Conference football championship, the Duke's Mayo Bowl and, most recently, a soccer match between the United States and Senegal which served as a precursor to the World Cup.
The additional renovations are privately funded with no additional taxpayer money required.
TSE will pay for any overage costs and ongoing maintenance associated with the project.
The city of Charlotte originally contributed $650 million to the project in 2024 with TSE adding the additional $150 million, bringing the original cost of stadium renovations to $800 million after Tepper decided to remain in the stadium rather than build a new one.
The entire stadium and its surroundings are being reimagined.
Renderings released Thursday showcase expanded indoor-outdoor gathering spaces across all levels, a 500-level social patio with sweeping views of Uptown Charlotte. There will also be larger and more dynamic scoreboards and displays and improved audio.
Seating options have been upgraded with premium offerings including technology designed to create a more connected and personalized experience.
When finished, the entire exterior of the stadium will look completely different to Panthers fans with a fresh, modern, open-air look that includes a signature illuminated crown for the Queen City skyline.
The black metal gates that surround portions of the stadium will be removed, creating a more welcoming park-style setting.
The renderings also include expanded retail and food and beverage options, increased restroom capacity, and flexible event spaces that will support game days while serving community, corporate and other special events during the offseason.
Included in what Panthers officials now call the “corridor” is the new entertainment venue outside of the North gate.
Panthers president and TSE CEO Kristi Coleman said the goal of everyone involved has been to bring Tepper’s vision to life.
Over the past few years the Panthers have brought some of the team’s fans to opposing cities to see what they like about other stadiums. They have also listened to suggestions and criticisms from existing permanent seat license holders about the game day experience in Charlotte.
“Our fans from Raleigh or Charleston and other places would say ‘we want this to be a weekend destination, not just for Sundays,’” Coleman said.
The need for music was high on the fans' wish list, Coleman said.
Such was the impetus for the building of the entertainment venue that will host 80 to 100 concerts and events during the year, as well as provide enhanced hospitality on NFL game days.
“So now people can come on a Friday and go to a concert, go to a soccer match on Saturday and then stay for a Panthers game on Sunday,” Coleman said. “That was really the vision.”
Coleman said the renovations have something everyone throughout the stadium can benefit from whether sitting in the lower bowl, upper bowl or luxury suites.
“I'm so excited that every fan will experience something different," Coleman said.
Charlotte Mayor Rob Harrington called the project an investment in Charlotte’s future “preserving an iconic venue, enhancing the fan experience, and ensuring Bank of America Stadium continues to create unforgettable memories while giving visitors countless reasons to return to our city for years to come.”
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FILE - Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is seen prior to an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn,File)
FILE - In this Aug. 16, 2012 file photo, the skyline of Charlotte, N.C., rises behind Bank of America Stadium in this aerial photo. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
