US and Saudi Arabia Sign Historic Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement Amid Israeli Concerns

The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a historic civil nuclear cooperation agreement overnight, marking a significant step toward a long-term strategic partnership in nuclear energy. The deal was signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. It includes two documents: a civil nuclear agreement and a security agreement. According to the US Department of Energy, the agreement grants American companies access to the Saudi nuclear energy market, supporting the US nuclear industry.

A Saudi civilian source told Kan News that the agreement is beneficial, potentially saving the kingdom 1.5 million barrels of oil per day currently used for civilian purposes such as electricity and healthcare. The source emphasized that the deal is not directed against Israel or any other country in the region and represents an internal Saudi interest. The agreement allows Saudi Arabia to develop civil nuclear infrastructure, including uranium enrichment, under US oversight, without Saudi concessions on normalization with Israel.

The 30-year deal, valued at tens of billions of dollars, aims to give American firms a central role in building Saudi Arabia's nuclear infrastructure, sidelining foreign competitors. Despite Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2018 statement that Saudi Arabia would pursue nuclear weapons if Iran did, Riyadh insists its intentions are peaceful. Israel views the agreement with concern but also hope that it might accelerate peace accords with Saudi Arabia.

The deal is expected to face opposition in the US Congress, though Democratic lawmakers may lack the votes to block it. Energy experts estimate it will take at least a decade for Saudi Arabia to operate civilian nuclear power plants. While critics warn the agreement could pave the way for Saudi nuclear weapons development, security analysts note that turning a civilian program into a military one would take years. There is no indication Saudi Arabia intends to replicate Iran’s nuclear weapons program, but if Iran acquires nuclear arms, Saudi Arabia may seek its own deterrent. Analysts suggest Saudi Arabia might bypass the lengthy enrichment process by potentially purchasing nuclear weapons from allies like Pakistan.