President Donald Trump has approved a 30-year American agreement with Saudi Arabia for civilian nuclear cooperation, a deal anticipated to be publicly announced soon. This marks a significant shift in US policy, potentially allowing Saudi Arabia to pursue uranium enrichment for the first time, a capability that was previously a major point of contention and concern regarding nuclear proliferation.
The agreement is expected to involve US firms in building and operating nuclear power facilities in Saudi Arabia. While a joint US-Saudi study will determine the commercial viability of enrichment before it proceeds, the deal reportedly prevents Saudi Arabia from developing its own enrichment technology or acquiring it from other countries for a decade if the US objects to their enrichment plans.
The deal does not require Saudi Arabia to sign the International Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol, which the UAE signed in its 2009 nuclear deal with the US, leading to concerns among some lawmakers and non-proliferation experts. Congress will need to review the agreement, but blocking it would require a veto-proof majority, which could be challenging given the current political landscape. The deal is estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars for US companies and could face opposition from those worried about nuclear proliferation in the region, particularly given Saudi Arabia's past statements about matching any Iranian nuclear capabilities.
