The United States has signed a landmark nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could permit the kingdom to enrich uranium domestically. The deal, announced on Wednesday by the US Department of Energy, was signed by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. It includes both a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement and a bilateral safeguards agreement, though full details have not yet been released.
The timing of the announcement has sparked controversy, as the US is currently engaged in a war with Iran partly aimed at preventing Tehran from enriching uranium, a process that could be used to develop nuclear weapons. The deal now faces a 90-day review period in Congress, where lawmakers are expected to scrutinise the safeguards in place to prevent Saudi Arabia from weaponising its nuclear programme. Non-proliferation groups have long warned that such an agreement could offer Riyadh a path to a nuclear bomb.
Saudi Arabia has previously stated it would seek nuclear weapons if Iran acquires them, an intention Iran denies. The US has pursued a civil nuclear deal with Riyadh for years, under both the Trump and Biden administrations, fuelled by fears that the kingdom might turn to China or Russia if Washington did not provide the technology. A recent US administration report to Congress urged support for the deal, arguing it would prevent strategic rivals from undermining US national security interests and re-establish American leadership in the global civilian nuclear market.
According to the Department of Energy, the agreement is expected to expand US nuclear technology exports, create high-paying American jobs, and strengthen national security. Dan Sumner, chief executive of Westinghouse Electric Company, which is likely to support Saudi nuclear development, hailed the deal as a “landmark step”. However, critics have pointed out that the agreement may not include the enhanced International Atomic Energy Agency monitoring found in Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal. Rosemary Kelanic of Defense Priorities called it “a terrible idea” to grant enrichment technology during a war over Iran’s nuclear programme, warning it could pressure Tehran into seeking a bomb.
