The Trump administration has signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could eventually permit the kingdom to enrich uranium domestically. The deal immediately generated criticism from nonproliferation advocates and Israel supporters who worry the technology could enable Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons.
The agreement represents a notable shift in U.S. nuclear policy toward Saudi Arabia. The U.S. Department of Energy announced that Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed a "peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement" along with a "bilateral safeguards agreement." Under the deal, American companies will receive priority access to supply nuclear reactors and fuel to Saudi Arabia. The arrangement is expected to last for decades and could be worth billions of dollars to the U.S. nuclear industry.
The accord drew swift backlash from multiple quarters. Critics have highlighted the stark contrast between the administration's approach to Saudi Arabia and its stance on Iran. The U.S. is currently engaged in military conflict with Iran partly over uranium enrichment concerns, yet the Saudi deal explicitly permits the kingdom to potentially pursue enrichment activities after a joint study period.
Nonproliferation experts have expressed particular concern about safeguards in the agreement. The deal reportedly allows the Saudis to bar international inspectors from certain nuclear sites, which analysts warn could leave little oversight preventing a civilian nuclear program from becoming a covert weapons operation. Saudi Arabia, like Iran, is a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Saudi crown prince has previously stated his country would develop nuclear weapons if Iran did so.
Observers have noted the agreement is less stringent than a 2009 nuclear cooperation deal negotiated with the United Arab Emirates, another Gulf state. Some analysts suggest financial considerations may have influenced the administration's approach, as sales of nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia could generate substantial revenue for American firms.
The timing of the announcement also proved controversial. It comes as the Trump administration seeks congressional funding for its ongoing military operations in the Middle East. Defense officials have requested billions in additional appropriations to sustain the campaign.
One notable element of the agreement is its separation from previous diplomatic conditions. An earlier version of a potential Saudi nuclear deal had been tied to Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel. That requirement has now been dropped, with Saudi officials stating that recognition of Israel remains contingent on establishing "a credible and irreversible path to a Palestinian state."
House Democrats have called for congressional hearings on the agreement, signaling likely legislative scrutiny of the administration's approach to nuclear cooperation in the Middle East.