Trump Approves Historic 30-Year Civil Nuclear Deal with Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump has approved a landmark 30-year agreement with Saudi Arabia to provide the kingdom with a civilian nuclear program, including uranium enrichment capabilities on its soil, according to the Wall Street Journal. The deal, valued at tens of billions of dollars, aims to give American companies a leading role in developing Saudi Arabia's nuclear infrastructure, limiting foreign competitors. A key provision requires US firms to build uranium enrichment facilities in Saudi Arabia if joint US-Saudi research justifies it, granting the US oversight to prevent military misuse of nuclear technology.

The agreement, expected to be submitted to Congress for review soon, is anticipated to face opposition from lawmakers concerned about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. Trump approved the deal last weekend, with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright scheduled to sign it today during his first Middle East visit in April 2025, alongside Saudi Crown Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

Robert Einhorn, a former State Department official advising multiple administrations on nonproliferation, stated the deal could revitalize the US nuclear industry, strengthen US-Saudi ties, and block Russia and China from strategic roles in Saudi nuclear development. However, he warned that without strict constraints, including on enrichment, the agreement might increase nuclear proliferation risks regionally and beyond.

Saudi Arabia maintains its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, though Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously indicated in 2018 that Saudi Arabia would pursue nuclear weapons if Iran did. Trump administration officials assert that the US role will prevent enriched uranium diversion for military use and prohibit reprocessing spent fuel for weapons. If the US later opposes continued enrichment, Saudi Arabia will be barred from enriching uranium independently or with foreign partners for ten years. Officials emphasize that US involvement ensures the enrichment program remains strictly civilian.