Trump Approves Nuclear Deal Allowing Saudi Uranium Enrichment

President Donald Trump has approved a landmark 30-year nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could allow the kingdom to enrich uranium for a civilian nuclear program, according to two people familiar with the matter. The deal, expected to be formally announced Wednesday, would involve US companies in developing Saudi Arabia’s nuclear infrastructure and could pave the way for a uranium enrichment facility on Saudi soil following a joint feasibility study, as reported by the Associated Press.

Context: A Deal Years in the Making

Both the Trump and Biden administrations pursued nuclear cooperation with Riyadh, but previous efforts stalled over conditions. The Biden administration sought to condition Saudi access to nuclear technology on normalizing relations with Israel — a condition Saudi Arabia has consistently refused. During Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington in November 2025, the White House announced a framework for nuclear cooperation described as “the legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar nuclear energy partnership.”

The Guardian reported that the deal could allow for the construction of a uranium enrichment facility after a joint US-Saudi study, with US firms such as Westinghouse playing a central role in developing the program. The agreement is expected to be submitted to Congress for review as a “123 Agreement” under the Atomic Energy Act, where it could face significant opposition.

Controversial Timing: The Iran War Context

The announcement comes in the midst of an ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, launched in part to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Critics argue that allowing Saudi enrichment while simultaneously bombing Iran over its enrichment program represents a stark policy contradiction.

Rosemary Kelanic, head of the Middle East programme at Defense Priorities, described the decision as reckless. “Giving Saudi Arabia uranium enrichment technology is a terrible idea on many counts,” she wrote on social media. “But it’s especially idiotic to do it in the middle of a war over Iran’s nuclear programme.” She added: “Saudi enrichment would put immense pressure on Iran to get the bomb. Is Trump TRYING to provoke Iran into weaponising?”

Key Provisions and Concerns

The 30-year agreement would provide Saudi Arabia with a civilian nuclear program, but crucially, it is not expected to include the IAEA’s Additional Protocol, which provides for enhanced monitoring, inspections, and verification. This omission has alarmed nonproliferation experts and lawmakers from both parties.

The United Arab Emirates, a neighbor to Saudi Arabia, set what nonproliferation experts consider the “gold standard” by signing a 123 agreement with the US to build its Barakah nuclear power plant without seeking enrichment rights. Saudi Arabia’s insistence on enrichment capability represents a significant departure from this precedent.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously stated that the kingdom would seek nuclear weapons if Iran were ever to obtain them. The deal’s potential to provide enrichment capability without robust international safeguards has raised fears of a regional nuclear arms race.

Regional Dynamics and the Pakistan Connection

The nuclear deal unfolds against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, while the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed due to the Iran conflict, disrupting global oil shipments. Saudi oil exports have hit record lows as a result.

Adding another layer of complexity, Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a mutual defense pact after Israel attacked Qatar. Pakistan’s defense minister subsequently stated that the country’s nuclear program “will be made available” to Saudi Arabia if needed — a statement widely interpreted as a warning to Israel, long believed to be the Middle East’s only nuclear-armed state.

As reported by Press TV, the deal exposes what critics describe as Washington’s double standards on nuclear issues, applying a different standard to its regional allies than to Iran.

Congressional Battle Ahead

The deal faces a contentious review in Congress, where lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns about proliferation risks. The agreement will be submitted as a “123 Agreement,” giving Congress the power to review and potentially block the nuclear cooperation deal.

A report to Congress earlier this year from the US administration urged support for the deal, arguing it would “prevent strategic competition from seizing an opportunity to undermine United States national security interests for decades to come.” The report also emphasized the need to “reestablish our leadership in the global civilian nuclear energy market.”

Analysis: A Watershed Moment for Nonproliferation

The Trump administration’s approval of this deal represents one of the most significant shifts in US nonproliferation policy in decades. If implemented, it could trigger a cascade of consequences:

• Regional Arms Race: Other Middle Eastern nations, including Turkey, Egypt, and the UAE, may seek similar enrichment capabilities, potentially triggering a regional nuclear competition.
• Iranian Response: Iran is likely to view the deal as confirmation of US double standards, potentially hardening its position and accelerating its own nuclear activities.
• US Credibility: The deal undermines US nonproliferation credibility, particularly given the simultaneous war against Iran over its enrichment program.
• Israel’s Position: The deal may complicate Israel’s regional position, as Israel has long opposed any nuclear capabilities in the region beyond its own.

What’s Next

The formal announcement is expected later today, July 22, 2026. The White House and Saudi officials in Riyadh have not yet responded to requests for comment. The coming weeks will see an intense congressional debate over whether to approve or block the agreement, with the outcome likely to shape Middle East geopolitics for decades to come.

Key questions remain unanswered: Will Congress approve the deal? How will Iran respond? Can the IAEA effectively monitor Saudi facilities without the Additional Protocol? And how will Israel, which has long opposed regional nuclear programs, react to a nuclear-capable Saudi Arabia?

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.