The Trump administration has approved a proposed agreement enabling Saudi Arabia to establish a civilian nuclear program with the capacity to enrich uranium domestically, according to reporting from major news outlets citing informed sources. The accord is expected to be submitted to Congress for approval and would permit US companies, including nuclear energy firm Westinghouse, to assist in developing Saudi Arabia’s nuclear infrastructure over a 30-year period.
Negotiations over nuclear cooperation between the two countries have extended across multiple presidential administrations. Under the previous Biden administration, such talks were connected to broader discussions involving Saudi recognition of Israel, though those negotiations stalled following developments in the Middle East. The Trump administration resumed discussions while removing the requirement for Israeli normalization. A framework for civilian nuclear cooperation was announced during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the United States.
The agreement’s most consequential provision would allow Saudi Arabia to pursue uranium enrichment domestically following a joint study with the United States. While uranium enrichment is a legitimate technology used to produce fuel for civilian nuclear power plants, the same process can produce highly enriched material suitable for weapons if taken to higher levels. Saudi Arabia has previously indicated it would seek nuclear weapons capability if Iran were to acquire such capability, though Iran maintains its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.
The reported agreement sets lower standards than some precedents for US nuclear cooperation. In 2009, the United Arab Emirates signed a “123 Agreement” with the United States that prohibited uranium enrichment and reprocessing of spent fuel—a model often cited as the “gold standard” for nonproliferation. The Saudi agreement is expected to permit enrichment and may not require the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, which provides inspectors with expanded verification powers.
Administration officials contend the agreement would strengthen US influence in the Gulf region and maintain American leadership in the global nuclear industry. They also argue that Saudi Arabia’s increasing electricity demands make nuclear energy essential for its long-term energy strategy. Congressional approval is required, with a two-thirds majority needed to block the agreement over a presidential veto. The proposal faces scrutiny from lawmakers across both parties and opposition from nonproliferation experts concerned about safeguards and potential precedents for other nations.
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