Trump Approves Saudi Nuclear Deal With Enrichment Potential

President Donald Trump has approved a 30-year nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that could allow the kingdom to develop uranium enrichment capabilities for its civilian nuclear program. This decision, expected to be formally announced this week, involves U.S. firms in the development and could lead to the construction of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia following a joint U.S.-Saudi study. The agreement is anticipated to be submitted to Congress for review, where it may encounter opposition from lawmakers concerned about nuclear proliferation and competition.

Saudi Arabia is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which promotes peaceful nuclear activities and inspects nations for clandestine weapons programs. However, the current agreement is not expected to include the IAEA's Additional Protocol, which mandates more extensive monitoring, inspections, and verification. This development occurs as the U.S. and Israel are engaged in military action against Iran, partly aimed at dismantling Tehran's nuclear weapon development capabilities, despite Iran's claims that its program is peaceful.

Both the Trump and Biden administrations had previously sought to establish nuclear agreements with Saudi Arabia to share American technology. Nonproliferation experts have voiced concerns that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich its own uranium could potentially pave the way for a nuclear weapons program within the kingdom. The White House and Saudi officials have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the decision, which was initially reported by The Wall Street Journal.