US Formally Approves Civil Nuclear Deal with Saudi Arabia
The United States government has officially announced a historic agreement with Saudi Arabia to build a civilian nuclear programme in the Gulf state. The move was achieved amid strict assurances from Washington that the agreement includes layered protections against the risk of non-proliferation or the spread of nuclear weapons.
The US Department of Energy confirmed that the deal comprises two main agreements: peaceful nuclear cooperation and bilateral safeguards. The official documents were signed directly by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.
The agreement was signed under Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act, which serves as the reference for Washington in forging nuclear cooperation with more than 50 countries worldwide.
"Together, these two agreements lay the legal foundation for a multibillion-dollar, decades-long partnership that advances several priority economic and strategic goals, including nuclear non-proliferation," the US Department of Energy stressed in its official statement.
"Rest assured, this agreement upholds the highest standards of nuclear safety and non-proliferation, while relying on the world’s best nuclear technology and scientists designed right here in the United States," added US Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
A report from The Wall Street Journal mentioned a clause in the deal that could potentially pave the way for US companies to build uranium enrichment facilities directly on Saudi soil. However, the US Department of Energy did not include the uranium enrichment point in its official release and declined to comment when asked. The full text of the agreement has also not yet been released to the public.
The deal will next be submitted to the US Congress for review. Nevertheless, the parliament, currently controlled by the Republican Party, is not expected to hinder its implementation.
The plan to build a civilian nuclear project for Riyadh has long sparked fierce debate. A number of bipartisan US lawmakers, along with Israeli officials, have voiced strong opposition over fears that the civilian nuclear facilities could ultimately be diverted to develop nuclear weapons.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia—like Tehran—has long insisted on its right to develop a civilian nuclear programme. Last year, Riyadh even signed a defence pact with Pakistan, a nuclear-armed state. In recent years, Washington has been trying to link this nuclear deal into a broader strategic scenario, namely the push to normalise diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel accompanied by the signing of a US defence pact.
At the regional level, the US previously signed a similar nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia’s neighbour, the United Arab Emirates, in 2009, although the UAE does not conduct its own uranium enrichment. The Barakah nuclear facility in the UAE—the only one in the Arab world—suffered a fire incident last May after a drone struck a generator section.
The announcement of the US-Saudi nuclear deal comes amid an escalation of open war between the United States under President Donald Trump and Iran. The war erupted partly due to Washington’s concerns over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Policymakers have long worried that Iran’s successful production of a nuclear weapon would trigger a massive nuclear arms race across the Gulf region.
Amid the shadow of geopolitical tensions, experts offered mixed views on Washington’s manoeuvre. Matthew Kroenig of the Atlantic Council warned of the significant risk if Saudi Arabia is allowed to have independent uranium enrichment capabilities.
"It is a mistake to give Saudi Arabia enrichment capabilities. Washington is right to strengthen its relationship with Riyadh, but it should not do so at the expense of effective nuclear non-proliferation standards," Kroenig said.
Conversely, Atlantic Council Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative Director Jennifer T. Gordon welcomed the deal, viewing it as a victory for US diplomacy over the competing influence of Russia and China.
"Saudi Arabia has made it clear that it will purchase nuclear energy technology and start a civilian nuclear programme; the only question is whether the kingdom will choose to work with the US and its allies, or whether it will turn to Russia or China," Gordon concluded.