United States and Saudi Arabia sign nuclear cooperation pact

The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a Section 123 nuclear cooperation agreement on 22 July, creating a 30‑year framework that allows U.S. companies to export civilian nuclear reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs), to the kingdom. The deal opens a multibillion‑dollar market and paves the way for Saudi Arabia’s first nuclear power plant, projected to consist of two 1.4 GW reactors delivering about 5 % of the country’s electricity.

The agreement prohibits Saudi enrichment of uranium and ties implementation to Riyadh’s willingness to normalize relations with Israel, a condition emphasized by President Donald Trump. While Washington says the pact is strictly for peaceful purposes, analysts note the geopolitical implications for the Middle East, especially concerning Israel’s strategic concerns and the broader regional nuclear landscape.