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

US President Donald Trump has officially approved a historic civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, according to the Wall Street Journal. The 30-year deal, valued at tens of billions of dollars, will provide Saudi Arabia with a civilian nuclear program and permit uranium enrichment within its territory. The agreement aims to give American companies a leading role in developing Saudi Arabia's nuclear infrastructure, sidelining foreign competitors.

The deal has raised concerns in Washington due to its lack of international oversight mechanisms designed to prevent nuclear weapons development. Allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium domestically has sparked fears that the kingdom could move closer to acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities. Earlier reports from CNN indicated that the Trump administration had agreed in principle to permit uranium enrichment without demanding the usual international safeguards.

Negotiations between the US and Saudi Arabia concluded in October 2025, but the agreement's signing was delayed amid worries about bipartisan opposition in Congress and the ongoing conflict with Iran. The Trump administration briefed Congress members earlier this year on the emerging deal, which also includes provisions for Saudi Arabia to reprocess plutonium, another pathway to weapons-grade material. Most countries with civilian nuclear reactors do not enrich uranium themselves but obtain it under strict international supervision from suppliers like the US or Russia.

The agreement marks a significant shift in US-Saudi relations and nuclear policy, potentially altering the strategic balance in the Middle East. It remains to be seen how Congress will respond to the finalized deal and what impact it will have on regional security dynamics.