US Approves Civil Nuclear Program for Saudi Arabia Without Israel Recognition Clause

The Trump administration has approved a 30-year civil nuclear cooperation program with Saudi Arabia, allowing uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Unlike a previous proposal during the Biden administration, the agreement does not require Saudi recognition of Israel. The plan involves the United States building nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia using American technology and companies, with joint research over two and a half years 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.

US officials indicated the deal will be presented to Congress soon, facing opposition from both political parties and Israel. Initially, the Trump administration sought to link the nuclear agreement to Saudi normalization with Israel, but this idea was dropped amid the prolonged conflict in the region. The agreement is part of broader US efforts to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia, especially as relations have deepened during ongoing regional conflicts.

Reports from March reveal that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged President Trump to continue military efforts against Iran, describing the US-Israel-Saudi alliance as a "historic opportunity" to reshape the Middle East. Bin Salman emphasized Iran as a long-term threat to Gulf states and advocated for regime change in Tehran to eliminate this danger.