US Proposes Civil Nuclear Deal with Saudi Arabia Tied to Israel Normalization

The US administration, led by President Donald Trump, has submitted a proposal to Congress for a civil nuclear energy agreement with Saudi Arabia. A senior US official told Reuters that the deal will only take effect if Riyadh normalizes relations with Israel, reiterating Trump's stance that the agreement depends on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords. The proposal has been sent to House leaders and is expected to be referred to committees soon, with a 90-day window for objections before full enactment. If Congress rejects the deal, Trump can veto the decision, requiring a two-thirds majority in Congress to override.

The agreement would allow US companies to export civilian nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia, enabling the kingdom to enrich uranium with American firms' involvement. The deal envisions an initial phase of building civilian reactors, followed by a two-and-a-half-year joint study on uranium enrichment on Saudi soil. Positive results would lead to the construction of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia. The US sees Saudi Arabia as a strategic ally seeking nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizing the preference for cooperation with allies to ensure safety guarantees.

The normalization condition reflects longstanding US efforts, including support from former President Joe Biden, to link Saudi nuclear cooperation with the Abraham Accords. Although normalization appeared close in 2023, the outbreak of conflict in Gaza and regional tensions, including Iran's role, caused Saudi Arabia to retract and insist on Palestinian statehood as a precondition.

US-Saudi military cooperation has also intensified, with recent joint strikes against pro-Iranian militias in eastern Iraq following multiple drone attacks on US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has urged Trump to continue military efforts against Iran, viewing the US-Israel-Saudi alliance as a historic opportunity to reshape the region.