Trump Approves 30-Year Civil Nuclear Deal Allowing Saudi Uranium Enrichment

US President Donald Trump has officially approved a historic 30-year civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, according to the Wall Street Journal. The deal, valued at tens of billions of dollars, will provide Saudi Arabia with a civilian nuclear program and permit uranium enrichment on its soil. This move raises concerns about the kingdom potentially advancing toward nuclear weapons capability.

The agreement aims to give American companies a leading role in developing Saudi Arabia's nuclear infrastructure, sidelining foreign competitors. Negotiations concluded in October 2025, but the signing was delayed due to fears of bipartisan opposition in the US Congress, which must approve the deal. The ongoing conflict with Iran also contributed to the postponement.

Earlier reports from CNN indicated the Trump administration had agreed in principle to allow Saudi uranium enrichment without requiring international safeguards designed to prevent nuclear weapons development. The administration briefed Congress members on a framework that would permit Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium and reprocess plutonium, both key steps toward producing fissile material for nuclear arms.

Most countries with civilian nuclear reactors that use enriched uranium do not produce it domestically but obtain it under strict international supervision from suppliers like the US or Russia. The absence of such oversight in this agreement has sparked concern in Washington about the potential for Saudi Arabia to move closer to nuclear weapons capability.