US and Saudi Arabia Sign Controversial 30-Year Civil Nuclear Agreement Without Israel Normalization

The United States officially announced on Wednesday that it has signed a historic agreement with Saudi Arabia to assist in developing a civilian nuclear program. Unlike earlier proposals under the Biden administration, the deal does not require Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel, nor does it impose the "gold standard" of strict international oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Instead, the agreement includes a separate oversight arrangement directly between the US and Saudi Arabia, which experts view as weaker in preventing nuclear weapons proliferation.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the deal as strengthening the American nuclear industry and enhancing regional security through high standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation. The agreement, reportedly valid for 30 years, allows American companies to help Saudi Arabia build nuclear power plants, with the US maintaining control over uranium enrichment technology. A two-year joint study will assess the economic feasibility of establishing uranium enrichment facilities in Saudi Arabia, with any such facility to be developed by the US under a confidential "black box" arrangement designed to prevent Saudi access to sensitive enrichment technology.

Despite US assurances that the program will not be used for military purposes, nonproliferation experts and Israeli officials have expressed concern that the agreement could enable Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons capabilities in the future. Saudi Arabia refused to commit to forgoing uranium enrichment, citing regional threats such as Iran's nuclear ambitions. The deal also does not require Saudi Arabia to sign the IAEA's Additional Protocol, which provides enhanced inspection rights, a condition accepted by other Gulf states like the UAE.

Reports indicate that Saudi opposition to IAEA inspections partly stems from fears that inspectors might access sensitive sites such as Mecca or royal palaces. The Trump administration, which finalized the deal last week, argues that the oversight measures are sufficient and warns that without the agreement, Saudi Arabia might seek nuclear assistance from US rivals like China under less stringent conditions. The agreement faces potential opposition in the US Congress but is difficult to block due to the president's veto power.

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, views the nuclear program as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's broader strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce domestic oil consumption. Israeli officials privately regard the deal as a setback, lamenting the removal of the normalization condition and viewing it as a weakening of Israel's leverage with the US. The agreement adds to a series of US policies seen in Jerusalem as problematic, including arms sales to Turkey and concessions in negotiations with Iran.