The United States and Saudi Arabia have established a historic agreement on civilian nuclear energy, according to the US Energy Department on Wednesday. This deal permits the Kingdom to construct nuclear reactors with American technology and to enrich uranium.
Efforts to create a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia have been ongoing for several years, spanning both President Donald Trump’s first term and President Joe Biden’s administration. However, a deal had not materialized until now, largely due to concerns raised by non-proliferation advocates who warn that it could enable Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons.
Unlike the Biden administration’s plan, this agreement does not include the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Additional Protocol, which allows for unannounced inspections. The pact also authorizes Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium and reprocess nuclear waste—activities that could be used to develop nuclear weapons. For comparison, the United Arab Emirates agreed to forgo both activities when it signed a similar deal with the US in 2009.
The pact, known as a 123 Agreement, was signed by US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, alongside a bilateral safeguards agreement, as stated by the US Energy Department. The agreement also complies with US non-proliferation standards outlined in the Atomic Energy Act, which are among the strictest in the world. Saudi officials have indicated that if US partnership is not available, they might partner with China or Russia, who have different proliferation standards.
The deal now moves to Congress for approval. If Congress does not object within 90 legislative days, the agreement automatically takes effect. However, to block it, lawmakers would need to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority.
Some nuclear experts are urging Congress to reject the deal, citing proliferation risks. Kelsey Davenport, director of non-proliferation policy at the Arms Control Association, stated, “We urge all members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to recognize the risks and exercise their authority to reject or amend the proposed nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, to prevent further nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.”
The three-decade-long agreement, valued in the tens of billions of dollars, involves the construction of AP1000 reactors and is expected to benefit Westinghouse, a joint venture between Canada’s Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management.
Industry insiders note that a feasibility study is required to assess the use of US technology in Saudi Arabia. The lengthy process of establishing nuclear infrastructure, including power plants and uranium enrichment facilities, means it could take many years to become fully operational.
While Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman repeatedly expressed that Saudi Arabia has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, he indicated the kingdom would do so if Iran did—raising proliferation concerns. Several Democratic lawmakers have warned that the deal could ignite an arms race in the region as tensions with Iran persist.
Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) criticized the agreement, saying, “Allowing Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons technology while engaging in conflict with Iran under the guise of non-proliferation makes us all less safe.” Conversely, Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) agreed with the Crown Prince’s view that the deal benefits both nations.
