US approves 30‑year Saudi civilian nuclear cooperation deal

President Donald Trump has formally approved a 30‑year civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia. The pact, valued at tens of billions of dollars, would involve U.S. companies in building the kingdom’s nuclear infrastructure and includes a provision that allows the construction of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia if a joint U.S.–Saudi technical study finds it justified.

The agreement does not incorporate the “gold standard” safeguards or the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, prompting non‑proliferation experts to warn that it could open a pathway to nuclear weapons development. Critics note the Crown Prince’s stated willingness to pursue a weapons program should Iran acquire nuclear capability. The deal removes the prior requirement that Saudi‑Israel normalization be a condition for cooperation.

The administration plans to submit the agreement, known as a Section 123 Agreement, to the U.S. Congress for review in the coming days, where lawmakers are expected to debate its proliferation risks and strategic implications.