The United States and Saudi Arabia have reached a landmark nuclear agreement, signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. The deal, known as a 123 Agreement, establishes a legal framework for a multi-billion-dollar partnership in civil nuclear energy.
Key provisions raise proliferation concerns
Unlike previous proposals under the Biden administration, the current agreement does not include an Additional Protocol that would allow the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct intrusive snap inspections. The deal also permits Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium and reprocess nuclear waste, both potential pathways to nuclear weapons development. In contrast, the UAE forwent these capabilities when it signed a similar agreement with the US in 2009.
A provision in the deal may allow US companies to build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia, according to the Wall Street Journal. Non-proliferation groups have warned that the agreement could offer Saudi Arabia a path to develop a nuclear weapon.
Political and expert reactions
Senator Bernie Sanders criticized the deal on X, stating: 'Trump claims his war on Iran is about stopping an authoritarian country from enriching nuclear fuel. Now he's letting his best friends in Saudi Arabia – one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world – do exactly that. This is absurd.'
Kelsey Davenport, director for non-proliferation policy at the Arms Control Association, urged Congress to reject the deal: 'We urge all members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to recognise the risks and to exercise their power to reject or modify Trump's proposed nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia so as not to open the door for nuclear proliferation in the Middle East even wider.'
Matthew Kroenig of the Atlantic Council said before the announcement: 'It would be a mistake to allow Saudi Arabia the capability for enrichment. Washington is right to strengthen its relationship with Riyadh, but it should not do so at the expense of its effective nuclear weapons non-proliferation standards.'
Congressional review and timeline
The deal now goes to Congress. Unless Congress raises votes to object within 90 session days, the agreement will go into force. To override a presidential veto, a two-thirds majority would be required. An industry source indicated that the deal requires a feasibility study on using US technology in Saudi Arabia, and the slow pace of building nuclear plants and enrichment infrastructure means it could take many years to implement.
Regional implications
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly stated that the kingdom does not want to build a nuclear weapon but would if Iran does, raising concerns about potential proliferation. Several Democratic lawmakers have warned that the deal could start an arms race in the Middle East as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues. Senator Edward Markey, a Democrat, said: 'They are allowing Saudi Arabia, a belligerent and authoritarian nation, to develop nuclear weapons technologies while starting a war with Iran under the guise of preventing an Iranian nuclear bomb. This deal would make us all less safe.'
Senator Jim Risch, a Republican, expressed support, agreeing with the crown prince that the deal benefits both countries. Saudi Arabia has long stated that if it does not partner with the US, it could turn to China or Russia, which have different proliferation standards.
