Key Takeaways
- The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a nuclear cooperation agreement.
- The deal includes non-proliferation safeguards, according to US officials.
- American companies are expected to play a central role in developing Saudi Arabia's nuclear infrastructure.
The United States has announced a significant nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, establishing a civilian nuclear programme for the Gulf country. The deal was signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Wednesday.
According to the US Energy Department, the two agreements — one on 'peaceful nuclear cooperation' and another on 'bilateral safeguards' — lay the legal foundation for a long-term partnership that aims to advance several economic and strategic objectives. The deal is expected to be worth tens of billions of dollars over 30 years.
While the exact terms of the agreement were not immediately made public, reports suggest it could include provisions allowing US companies to build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia if deemed necessary by joint review between Washington and Riyadh. However, the Energy Department did not confirm this aspect when questioned by AFP.
The deal will be submitted to Congress for review, but given its current composition, it is unlikely to face significant opposition from the Republican-controlled legislature. US lawmakers and Israeli officials have previously expressed concerns over such a project due to fears that Saudi Arabia might eventually convert it into developing nuclear weapons.
Policymakers in both countries view this agreement as part of broader strategic efforts aimed at normalising ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, along with signing a US-Saudi defence pact. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had signed a mutual defence pact in September 2025, further cementing their relationship.
The deal is seen as a response to Iran's nuclear programme and the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. The Trump administration insists that the agreement upholds the highest standards of nuclear safety and non-proliferation, relying on advanced US technology designed for civilian use.
Despite assurances from the US Energy Secretary, some experts remain concerned about the potential for enrichment capabilities in Saudi Arabia. They argue that allowing such a capability could be detrimental to regional stability and security.
Together, these two agreements lay the legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership that advances several priority economic and strategic objectives, including nuclear non-proliferation.
US Energy Department
Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and non-proliferation, while relying on the world’s best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright
