Trump approves nuclear deal that could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium

US President Donald Trump has approved a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could eventually allow the kingdom to enrich uranium for its civilian nuclear energy program, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been officially announced, said the agreement could be made public as early as Wednesday.

The proposed 30-year deal is expected to involve U.S. companies in developing Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear sector and may pave the way for the construction of a uranium enrichment facility following a joint U.S.-Saudi feasibility study.

However, the agreement is expected to face scrutiny in Congress, where some lawmakers are concerned that enabling Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium could increase the risk of nuclear proliferation and trigger a regional arms race.

Saudi Arabia is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy while monitoring member states to ensure they are not pursuing covert nuclear weapons programs.

According to one source, the agreement is not expected to include the IAEA’s Additional Protocol, a framework that allows for more extensive inspections, monitoring, and verification measures.

The move comes as the United States and Israel continue military operations aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Tehran has consistently maintained that its uranium enrichment program is intended solely for peaceful purposes.

Neither the White House nor Saudi officials immediately commented on the reported agreement, which was first revealed by The Wall Street Journal.

Both President Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden, had sought a civilian nuclear partnership with Saudi Arabia that would involve the transfer of American technology.

However, nonproliferation experts argue that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium could create the technical foundation for a future weapons program. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously indicated that Saudi Arabia would seek nuclear weapons if Iran were to acquire one.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Saudi Arabia last year, shortly before Trump’s trip to the kingdom, to discuss expanding Saudi Arabia’s commercial nuclear energy sector with Saudi officials. The U.S. Department of Energy has not commented on the reported agreement.

Separately, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defense pact after Israel targeted Hamas officials in Qatar. Pakistan’s defense minister later said his country’s nuclear capabilities would be available to Saudi Arabia if necessary, a statement widely interpreted as a warning to Israel, which is widely believed to possess the Middle East’s only nuclear arsenal.

While uranium enrichment alone does not enable a country to build a nuclear weapon, experts note that it is a critical step in the process and has long been a central concern surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.

In contrast, the United Arab Emirates signed a so-called "123 Agreement" with the United States to build the Barakah nuclear power plant with South Korean support while voluntarily forgoing uranium enrichment. That arrangement has been widely regarded by nonproliferation experts as the international benchmark for peaceful civilian nuclear cooperation.