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US-Saudi nuclear deal submitted to Congress amid scrutiny

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2026-08-28 18:35 UTC → 2026-09-04 19:26 UTC · added ~~removed~~

US-Saudi nuclear deal submitted to Congress amid ~~recognition~~ scrutiny

Following the formal submission of the 30-year civilian-nuclear cooperation agreement to the U.S. Congress on 25 August 2026, new diplomatic and political tensions have emerged. The pact, which allows U.S. firms to supply technology such as small modular reactors to support Saudi Arabia’s goal of preserving oil for export, remains tied to the controversial condition of Saudi-Israeli normalization. Former U.S. Ambassador Michael Ratney noted that the normalization requirement was added at the last minute, contributing to current diplomatic uncertainty. While the White House maintains the deal would be “null and void” without such progress, Riyadh continues to demand a clear pathway toward Palestinian statehood, a position opposed by Israel. In Washington, the proposal has faced intensified scrutiny from lawmakers. Senator Ed Markey warned that the agreement lacks sufficient safeguards and could “trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.” Furthermore, several Democratic lawmakers have characterized the administration’s position as contradictory, arguing that the U.S. is providing Saudi Arabia with technological means for uranium enrichment at a time when it is simultaneously attempting to prevent Iran from doing so. Recent objections from Representative Brad Sherman have intensified this debate, with Sherman claiming the deal could place Saudi Arabia on a “glide path to have a nuclear weapon in 10 to 15 years.” Sherman specifically noted reports that the agreement allows for uranium enrichment and reprocessing on Saudi soil without International Atomic Energy Agency inspections. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has defended the agreement, stating it upholds high safety and nonproliferation standards, though specific terms of the deal remain partially classified.

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