US Prepares to Aid Saudi Arabia in Civil Nuclear Industry Without Key Safeguards

The Trump administration is set to submit to Congress within days a landmark agreement enabling the US and American companies to assist Saudi Arabia in developing a civilian nuclear industry worth billions of dollars. This agreement, known as a Section 123 agreement under the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954, marks a significant shift as it excludes two critical safeguards Washington has traditionally insisted on to prevent civilian nuclear technology from being diverted to military uses.

Unlike previous proposals, the deal does not include the "gold standard" commitment that would prohibit Saudi Arabia from enriching uranium or reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, activities that could potentially lead to nuclear weapons development. Additionally, it omits the International Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol, which grants the agency expanded inspection rights, including short-notice inspections of undeclared sites.

The agreement is expected to be signed by US Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman, who previously signed a preliminary deal in Riyadh last year. Notably, the nuclear cooperation deal is progressing independently of any normalization of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, a condition previously considered central to broader strategic cooperation.

The agreement is likely to face opposition in Congress, where many Democrats and some Republicans have long demanded strict limitations to prevent Saudi Arabia from using nuclear technology for weapons purposes. Former Senator Marco Rubio, now Secretary of State, was among those advocating for such safeguards. However, blocking the agreement will be challenging, as Congress would need to pass a joint resolution against it, which the president could veto, requiring a two-thirds majority to override.

This development comes amid regional tensions, including a Houthi blockade threatening Saudi Arabia's economy, and presents a complex backdrop for US-Saudi relations and Middle East security dynamics.