US Approves Saudi Civil Nuclear Program Including Uranium Enrichment Plans

The Trump administration has approved a 30-year civil nuclear cooperation program with Saudi Arabia, which includes uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal. The plan involves American companies building nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia, followed by a joint two-and-a-half-year research phase to assess uranium enrichment feasibility. If successful, the US will construct a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia, maintaining control and oversight throughout the process.

Officials indicated the deal will be presented to the US Congress soon, facing opposition from both political parties and Israel. Initially, the Trump administration sought to link the nuclear agreement to normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, but this idea was abandoned as the conflict with Iran prolonged. The agreement is part of broader US efforts to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia amid escalating regional tensions.

In related developments, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has urged President Trump to continue military efforts against Iran, describing the joint US-Israel campaign as a "historic opportunity" to reshape the region. Recent communications from the Crown Prince emphasized the need to overthrow the Iranian regime, viewing Iran as a long-term threat to Gulf states that can only be neutralized by regime change.