Trump approves Saudi Arabia nuclear deal allowing uranium enrichment

Jul 22, 2026

The Trump administration has approved a nuclear energy pact with Saudi Arabia that would allow the kingdom to enrich uranium, a controversial move raising regional proliferation fears. The deal, worth billions to U.S. firms, notably lacks the "gold standard" safeguards present in a 2009 U.S.-UAE agreement. While Saudi Arabia cites energy diversification, it has also vowed to pursue a nuclear weapon if Iran does, alarming U.S. allies like Israel.

Trump-Saudi nuclear agreement

▪The reported 30-year agreement allows U.S. entities to help Saudi Arabia develop a civil nuclear industry.
▪The Trump administration plans to submit a nuclear cooperation pact with Saudi Arabia to the U.S. Congress.
▪The U.S. Congress will have about 90 days to review the agreement, which can be blocked by a two-thirds majority vote.
▪The deal is not contingent on Saudi Arabia normalizing diplomatic ties with Israel, a condition previously sought by the Biden administration.
▪The pact is a "123 Agreement" under the U.S. Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which governs civil nuclear cooperation.

Uranium enrichment concerns

▪The proposed U.S.-Saudi nuclear pact allows Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel.
▪The deal also lacks the "Additional Protocol," which grants the International Atomic Energy Agency broader oversight and power for snap inspections.
▪The lack of safeguards has raised concerns among arms control advocates about regional nuclear weapons proliferation.
▪The agreement omits the "gold standard," a safeguard that would bar the kingdom from enriching uranium.
▪The terms contrast with a 2009 U.S. deal with the United Arab Emirates, which included the "gold standard" restrictions.

Saudi nuclear program rationale

▪Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated in 2018 that if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, Saudi Arabia would "follow suit as soon as possible."
▪Saudi Arabia has its own uranium ore reserves and in January 2025 announced plans to enrich it to produce nuclear fuel.
▪In June 2024, Saudi Arabia used 1.4 million barrels of crude oil per day for power generation.
▪Saudi Arabia is pursuing nuclear power to reduce carbon emissions and free up more crude oil for export under its Vision 2030 plan.

U.S. strategic interests

▪The agreement aims to prevent firms from China and Russia from participating in Saudi Arabia's nuclear program.
▪The nuclear deal could be worth tens of billions of dollars to U.S. companies contracted to build Saudi facilities.
▪A deal would provide the U.S. with insight into Saudi Arabia's atomic program, potentially alleviating proliferation worries.

Alternative international partners

▪China National Nuclear Corp submitted a bid in 2023 to build a nuclear plant for Saudi Arabia.
▪If the U.S. agreement fails, Saudi Arabia has several other potential partners for its nuclear program.