Israel Warns US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Crosses Red Line, Risks Regional Arms Race

Israeli officials have expressed significant concern over a pending US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement expected to be signed on July 26, 2023. The primary worry centers on the US intention to allow uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, which Israeli sources describe as crossing a "bright red line" and posing a serious security threat to Israel. A senior Israeli official familiar with the negotiations told Israeli media that a civilian enrichment facility essentially serves as a "training ground for nuclear weapons development."

The Israeli defense establishment has repeatedly warned that such a move could trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, potentially encouraging countries like Turkey, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates to pursue uranium enrichment programs. While Israel does not oppose civilian nuclear programs for Saudi Arabia in principle, it had hoped that any agreement would be linked to broader normalization efforts between the countries, which the US decision apparently does not require.

The agreement, reportedly worth tens of billions of dollars and valid for 30 years, is set to be signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart. It includes provisions for American companies to build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia under strict oversight, contingent on a joint study within two years justifying the step. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticized the deal as a "serious strategic failure" that risks losing Israeli influence and fueling a dangerous regional nuclear arms race.

Israel is currently awaiting the final text of the agreement to assess its full implications and to determine if US interests aligned with Israeli security concerns. The deal marks a significant development in US-Saudi relations but raises alarms in Jerusalem about the future stability of the Middle East nuclear landscape.