Trump Approves Broad Civil Nuclear Deal Allowing Saudi Uranium Enrichment Without Strict Oversight

US President Donald Trump has approved a comprehensive 30-year civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, potentially enabling the kingdom to enrich uranium on its soil. Valued at tens of billions of dollars, the deal is expected to give American companies a central role in building Saudi Arabia's nuclear infrastructure. According to US sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, the agreement could allow US firms to establish a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia if joint research deems it economically and strategically justified.

Unlike previous US nuclear agreements, this deal does not include the "gold standard" restrictions that prohibit uranium enrichment and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, activities that could be used for nuclear weapons development. The agreement, a Section 123 deal under the US Atomic Energy Act, also does not require Saudi Arabia to adopt the International Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol, which allows surprise inspections. Instead, a narrower bilateral oversight mechanism will be developed between Washington and Riyadh.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated that while Saudi Arabia does not currently seek nuclear weapons, it would pursue them if Iran acquires such arms. The agreement is expected to be signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman before submission to the US Congress for a 90-day review period. Opposition is anticipated from Democrats and some Republicans concerned about national security risks and the lack of stringent safeguards.

Experts warn that easing restrictions for Saudi Arabia could prompt other Middle Eastern countries like Turkey, Egypt, and the UAE to seek similar terms, potentially sparking a regional nuclear arms race. The deal aims to strengthen US-Saudi ties, boost the American nuclear industry, and reduce Saudi reliance on oil for electricity by developing a local nuclear energy sector. However, critics highlight the risk of nuclear proliferation given the absence of strict oversight.

This agreement marks a shift from the Biden administration’s approach, which linked nuclear cooperation with Saudi normalization with Israel, a process stalled after the Hamas attack in October 2023. The Trump administration continues to urge Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords but does not condition the nuclear deal on such normalization. The US government maintains the program will remain civilian and subject to safeguards preventing military use.