US and Saudi Arabia Set to Sign Civil Nuclear Agreement Without Israel Recognition

The American network CBS reported that the United States and Saudi Arabia are expected to sign a civil nuclear agreement on Wednesday evening at 20:30 Israel time. The deal, approved during the Trump administration, allows Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its soil with American companies' involvement, marking a 30-year cooperation plan. Unlike a previous proposal during the Biden administration, this agreement does not require Saudi recognition of Israel.

Senior US officials explained that the US will build the nuclear reactors and maintain oversight and control over the process. Initially, American technology and companies will construct civilian reactors, followed by a joint research phase lasting about two and a half years to assess uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia. If the research yields positive results, the US will establish a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia.

The agreement faces opposition from both US political parties and Israel. Initially, the Trump administration sought to link the nuclear deal to Saudi normalization with Israel but abandoned this idea as the conflict with Iran intensified. The deal is part of a broader US effort to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia amid rising regional tensions.

In March, reports revealed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged President Trump to continue military efforts against Iran, describing the joint US-Israel-Saudi campaign as a "historic opportunity" to reshape the region. According to the New York Times, the Crown Prince conveyed to Trump the necessity of overthrowing the Iranian regime, labeling Iran a long-term threat to Gulf states that can only be removed by regime change.