Donald Trump's nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia starkly contrasts with his nuclear demands for Iran, offering the Saudis the same nuclear options he swore Iran would never have. The agreement allows Saudi Arabia, after a joint study, to enrich uranium and reprocess spent atomic fuel, and to bar inspectors from certain sites. This lack of oversight could enable the Saudi government to transform a civilian nuclear program into a clandestine weapons operation, despite Saudi Arabia being a signatory of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Why would Trump agree to such a deal?
Money seems to have played a big part. The deal could provide tens of billions of dollars to the US nuclear industry if it were to sell reactors to the Saudis. Trump's effort to revive an alliance jeopardized by his war with Iran also appears to be a factor. Trump has long had a soft spot for the Saudi crown prince, who possesses monarchial power that Trump covets.
Trump's war has made the US partnership with Saudi Arabia risky, as it provided an excuse for Iran to attack Gulf states. The deal also reflects a lessening of Israel's influence in Washington, as an earlier version premised on Saudi diplomatic relations with Israel has been abandoned. Riyadh has said recognition is off the table without a credible path to a Palestinian state.
Nuclear rationale for war wears thin
As the nuclear rationale for war fades, Trump's secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has stressed the importance of Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, the strait was open until Trump's war encouraged Iran to close it. Trump's memorandum of understanding with Iran implicitly allows Iran to charge fees after 60 days.
Defense secretary Pete Hegseth says the war has cost $37.5bn so far, and he wants $67.1bn to continue it. Congress should say no to funding a war that never should have started and should not continue.
