Trump's Saudi Nuclear Deal: A Stark Contradiction
Kenneth Roth, a Guardian US columnist and former executive director of Human Rights Watch, argues that Donald Trump's nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia offers the Saudis the same nuclear options Trump swore Iran would never have. The agreement, Roth writes, is a sweetheart deal to make amends for Trump's disastrous war with Iran, while he continues bombing Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz—which was not closed until Trump launched his counterproductive war.
Enrichment and Inspection Loopholes
As recently as April, Trump reiterated: "There will be no enrichment of uranium." That goal became more urgent after Trump ripped up the 2015 nuclear accord negotiated by Barack Obama, leading Iran to step up enrichment near weapons-grade levels. When Israel and the US started bombing Iran in June 2025, Iran also barred independent UN inspectors. In contrast, Trump's Saudi deal allows enrichment and reprocessing of spent fuel after a joint study, and permits barring inspectors from certain sites—creating little to prevent a clandestine weapons program, despite Saudi Arabia being a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Comparison with UAE Deal and Iran Impact
The Saudi deal is much less stringent than the 2009 agreement with the United Arab Emirates. Trump's deal is likely to torpedo any restrictive deal with Iran, which is already asked to forsake nuclear weapons while Israel possesses them. Roth notes that Israel's genocide in Gaza and destruction in Lebanon belies claims of responsible weapons handling. Now Iran must consider that its Saudi adversary could also develop a bomb.
Motivations: Money and Alliance Repair
Roth suggests money played a big part, as the deal could provide tens of billions of dollars to the US nuclear industry if it sells reactors to Saudi Arabia. Trump has long had a soft spot for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the deal may revive an alliance jeopardized by Trump's war. Gulf Arab states had looked to the US as a security partner, but Trump's war gave Iran an excuse to attack US bases and infrastructure.
Israel's Influence Wanes
One positive aspect, Roth writes, is that the deal reflects lessened Israeli influence in Washington. An earlier version required Saudi diplomatic relations with Israel, but that has been abandoned. Riyadh says recognition is off the table without "a credible and irreversible path to a Palestinian state," which Netanyahu opposes.
War Rationale and Costs
As the nuclear rationale for war wears thin, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stresses reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which was open until Trump's war. Trump's memorandum with Iran implicitly allows Iran to charge fees after 60 days. Roth argues the main remaining justification for war is a matter that never existed before Trump's war, while the Saudi deal gives away a main rationale. Trump seeks a face-saving concession before midterms, but that is no reason for more bloodshed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the war has cost $37.5 billion so far—equivalent to a year's rental assistance for 2.3 million low-income people or health insurance for 7 million. Hegseth wants $67.1 billion more. Roth concludes Congress should say no to funding this pointless war.
