US President Donald Trump has approved a deal that will allow Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear program that could enrich uranium on its soil, marking a major shift in long-standing US nonproliferation policy, according to media reports.
The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times reported Tuesday that President Trump is expected to ask Congress to approve the deal, which could pave the way for U.S. companies to help build Saudi Arabia’s nuclear power industry, citing people familiar with the discussions.
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The timing is likely to be controversial, as the United States has said one of the objectives of its military operation against Iran is to prevent Iran from acquiring the ability to build nuclear weapons. Critics say allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, even if the program is intended for civilian use, could weaken its message, while others worry that increased levels of nuclear enrichment could be misused.
Here’s what we know:
Why is this important?
Saudi Arabia has been exploring a civilian nuclear program for years as part of a plan to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil.
Negotiations regarding U.S. nuclear cooperation span multiple administrations. The Times said the talks under former President Joe Biden were tied to a broader package that included Saudi recognition of Israel.
Those negotiations stalled after Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, but the Trump administration removed normalization requirements and restarted talks.
During Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the United States last year, the two countries announced a framework for civil nuclear cooperation, laying the foundation for what they called a long-term partnership built on non-proliferation standards.
What does the reported agreement say?
The agreement will last for 30 years and will allow US companies, including Pittsburgh-based nuclear energy giant Westinghouse, to help develop Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear sector, according to reports.
One of its most important provisions would allow Saudi Arabia to pursue domestic uranium enrichment through joint U.S.-Saudi research.
Uranium enrichment is not illegal and is used to produce fuel for nuclear power plants. However, if enriched to higher levels, the same technology could also be used to produce highly enriched uranium suitable for nuclear weapons.
Saudi Arabia has previously said it would seek nuclear weapons if Iran acquired them, but Tehran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.
Why are some experts concerned?
The reported agreement is expected to fall below standards accepted by some other US partners.
In 2009, the United Arab Emirates signed the so-called “123 Agreement” with Washington, agreeing not to enrich uranium or reprocess spent nuclear fuel, prior to opening the Barakah nuclear power plant. This is a model that nonproliferation experts often describe as the “gold standard.”
The Saudi deal could instead allow for enrichment and eliminate the need for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Additional Protocol, which gives inspectors broad powers to verify that nuclear material is not being diverted to military purposes, according to reports.
Geopolitical analyst Michael Horowitz said the Saudi deal would have a “very significant impact” for a number of reasons.
“The United States has reportedly agreed to an agreement that is below the gold standard and does not include the Additional Protocol, both of which are designed to ensure that civilian programs do not become military programs.”
“This is not a detail. If Riyadh had only wanted to get US support for its civilian program, it would have done so years ago, with Washington’s blessing. In other words, the goal is to gain US support for an agreement that does not completely eliminate the path to nuclear development,” he added.
“I’m not saying there aren’t guarantees, but the guarantees are purely bilateral, which means it depends entirely on the state of the U.S.-Saudi relationship,” Horowitz said.
Why would the US agree?
Supporters say the deal will strengthen U.S. influence in the Gulf region.
In a report to Congress earlier this year, the Trump administration argued that expanding civilian nuclear cooperation would help maintain U.S. leadership in the global nuclear industry while preventing strategic competitors from gaining influence in Saudi Arabia.
The administration also argues that despite Saudi Arabia’s vast oil reserves and climate suitable for solar power, increasing demand for electricity makes nuclear power an increasingly important part of the country’s long-term energy strategy.
Will Congress approve it?
Civilian nuclear cooperation agreements must be submitted to Congress, which has the power to review and block so-called “123 agreements.”
Congress would need a two-thirds majority to block the deal and override a presidential veto.
The proposal is expected to face scrutiny from lawmakers of both parties over safeguards governing Saudi uranium enrichment.
Some members of Congress and Israeli officials have said allowing enrichment could pave the way for a future Saudi nuclear weapons capability, even if the program began for civilian purposes.
Andrea Stricker, deputy director of the Nonproliferation Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, called on Congress to “block” the deal.
“If not, we would hope that the policy is reversed by the next administration before it does much damage in terms of watering down safeguards, setting a bad precedent for other states, and failing to stop the spread of enrichment,” Stricker said.
