US President Donald Trump has approved a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that could enable the kingdom to develop uranium enrichment capabilities as part of its civilian nuclear energy program. Sources familiar with the matter indicate the agreement, expected to span 30 years, will involve US companies, including Westinghouse, collaborating with Saudi counterparts to build and operate nuclear facilities. The deal is anticipated to be formally announced soon and subsequently submitted to the US Congress for review.
The proposed agreement marks a significant development in US-Saudi relations concerning nuclear technology. It follows lengthy negotiations over multiple administrations, with the Biden administration reportedly seeking to condition Saudi access to enrichment technology on Riyadh’s normalization of relations with Israel, a step that Saudi Arabia has yet to take.
Uranium enrichment is a sensitive and controversial issue, as it involves technology that can be used for both civilian energy and nuclear weapons programs. While enrichment itself is not an automatic path to weaponization, it can provide a foundation for developing nuclear arms if coupled with other technical capabilities. Saudi officials have previously indicated a possible pursuit of nuclear weapons if Iran, their regional rival, were to obtain such arms, a scenario Iran denies, maintaining its nuclear activities are peaceful.
The agreement reportedly does not include the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Additional Protocol, which allows for heightened monitoring and inspections beyond standard safeguards. Saudi Arabia is a member of the IAEA, the UN agency responsible for promoting peaceful nuclear use and preventing weapons proliferation. The absence of enhanced inspections raises concerns among US lawmakers and nonproliferation experts, who warn that providing enrichment technology to Riyadh without stringent safeguards could contribute to further nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
Critics argue that approving the deal amid ongoing tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran, including military confrontations aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, could exacerbate regional instability and provoke a nuclear arms race. Some analysts view the decision as potentially reckless, given the delicate geopolitical context and fears it might pressure Iran to accelerate its own nuclear weapon ambitions.
Supporters of the deal suggest it reflects Saudi Arabia’s intent to diversify its energy sources and develop a civilian nuclear program within a cooperative framework with the United States. They point to precedents like the United Arab Emirates, which established nuclear power without pursuing enrichment, often cited as a nonproliferation “gold standard.”
The agreement also follows recent security developments, including a mutual defense pact between Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan. Pakistan’s defense minister stated that its nuclear program could be shared with Saudi Arabia if needed, a statement perceived as a strategic message amid escalating regional conflicts.
As the agreement moves toward congressional review, US lawmakers are expected to scrutinize the potential risks and benefits carefully, balancing energy cooperation against long-standing nonproliferation concerns and complex Middle Eastern security dynamics.