The Trump administration signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia on July 22, 2026, establishing a multibillion-dollar partnership. The deal provides a pathway for Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its own soil using U.S. technology and firms, while implementing bilateral safeguards to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have reached a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement. By signing a 30-year, multibillion-dollar accord, the Trump administration has granted Riyadh a pathway to domestic uranium enrichment.
The deal ensures American companies play a central role in the kingdom’s nuclear infrastructure, effectively shutting out foreign competitors. The administration expects billions in benefits for firms like Westinghouse.
The Uranium Enrichment Pathway and U.S. Control
The agreement does not grant immediate enrichment rights but instead mandates a joint U.S.-Saudi study over two years to determine if such a facility is feasible and necessary. The deal stipulates that any enrichment on Saudi soil would be controlled by U.S. companies using technology that is not shared with the Saudis.
“Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world’s best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States.”
Chris Wright, Energy Secretary
Section 123 and the National Security Waiver
The legal framework for this partnership rests on a “123 agreement” under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, coupled with a bilateral safeguards agreement. The agreement includes a waiver exempting Saudi Arabia from the aggressive international inspections required in nuclear reactor deals with other countries, including the United Arab Emirates. Instead, more narrow inspections would be executed under terms spelled out in the agreement.
Because the deal does not include conventional international inspections, President Trump had to sign a separate national security waiver for it to go forward. After Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart sign the broader agreement, the details will be sent to Congress, which has 90 days to act on it.
Congressional Review and the Proliferation Debate
Nonproliferation experts are sounding alarms.
Blocking the deal would require a joint resolution and a two-thirds majority to override a potential presidential veto.
Regional Stability and the Iran Factor
The U.S. and Israel launched a war on Iran in February to prevent the country from enriching uranium and acquiring a nuclear weapon, which Tehran denies seeking. The U.S. and Israel also bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities last year. This deal serves to bind Riyadh closer to Washington as the war continues and Iran launches drones and missiles at U.S. bases in the region.
Unlike previous proposals, there is no stipulation in the arrangement Trump negotiated that the Gulf state recognize Israel’s right to exist. This lack of a diplomatic quid pro quo has reportedly sparked alarm among Israeli officials.
As the 90-day congressional clock begins, the central question remains whether the U.S. can truly maintain control over enrichment technology on foreign soil, or if the “pathway” created today inevitably leads to a nuclear-armed Saudi Arabia tomorrow.
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