Trump approves Saudi Arabia nuclear deal allowing uranium enrichment

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

Israel regional opposition

• ▪Nuclear experts and former officials in Israel have expressed concern the deal could lead to Saudi Arabia developing a nuclear weapon