The Trump administration said the “historic” agreement would “strengthen global nonproliferation standards” and create jobs in the United States.
Published July 22, 2026
As Washington and Riyadh deepen ties, the administration of US President Donald Trump announced that the US and Saudi Arabia have reached a civil nuclear cooperation agreement.
The U.S. Department of Energy on Wednesday hailed the agreement as “historic” and said American companies would provide nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.
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The ministry said the agreement consists of an agreement under section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act 1954, known as the 123 Agreement, and “an accompanying bilateral safeguards agreement.”
“These agreements reflect our shared commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Saudi trade relationship and delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement.
“Rest assured, these agreements maintain the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world’s best nuclear technology and scientists designed right here in the United States.”
Some US media outlets have suggested that the deal would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium domestically rather than importing nuclear fuel from the US.
The Department of Energy’s statement did not provide details about enrichment. If the report is confirmed, the deal is likely to face opposition in Washington.
“Strengthening global standards”
The statement called the agreement “a multi-decade, multi-billion dollar partnership” and said it would now be submitted to Congress for consideration.
President Trump, along with Israel, launched a war against Iran in February to prevent it from enriching uranium and acquiring nuclear weapons, something Tehran denies seeking.
The United States and Israel also bombed Iranian nuclear facilities last year.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) does not prohibit uranium enrichment, the process of isolating and collecting the most radioactive variants, or isotopes, of uranium atoms. However, highly enriched uranium can be used to make nuclear weapons.
Israel is the only country in the region believed to have nuclear weapons.
The Trump administration said the agreement with Saudi Arabia would create jobs in the United States, “strengthen global nonproliferation standards” and strengthen the strategic partnership with Riyadh.
The announcement comes as the US and Israel’s war against Iran continues to escalate. During the hostilities, Iran fired missiles and drones at U.S. military bases in the region and some energy facilities in the Gulf.
