US President Donald Trump Approves Landmark 30-Year US-Saudi Nuclear Deal That Could Allow Uranium Enrichment For Kingdom

Washington, July 22: US President Donald Trump has approved a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could allow the kingdom to enrich uranium for its civilian nuclear programme, according to two people familiar with the matter. The agreement, which has not yet been formally announced, is expected to be made public as early as Wednesday.

The 30-year deal is expected to involve US firms in developing Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear programme. It also provides for the possible construction of a uranium enrichment facility in the kingdom following a joint US-Saudi study.

The agreement will be submitted to Congress for review, where it could face opposition from lawmakers concerned that Saudi uranium enrichment could trigger fresh nuclear proliferation and regional competition, the Associated Press reported.

Monitoring Concerns Raised

Saudi Arabia is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Vienna-based body that promotes peaceful nuclear activities while monitoring countries to ensure they do not operate secret nuclear weapons programmes.

However, according to one of the sources, the agreement will not include the IAEA's Additional Protocol, which provides for enhanced monitoring, inspections and verification.

The expected announcement comes amid the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. Washington and Israel have maintained that their campaign aims to eliminate Tehran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon, while Iran continues to insist its uranium enrichment programme is peaceful.

Previous Efforts Examined

The White House and Saudi officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported the decision.

Both Trump and former President Joe Biden had pursued a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to share American nuclear technology. However, non-proliferation experts have warned that allowing Saudi Arabia to operate uranium enrichment facilities could eventually support a weapons programme. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously suggested the kingdom could pursue nuclear weapons if Iran acquires an atomic bomb.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Saudi Arabia last year, ahead of Trump's trip to the kingdom, and discussed expanding Saudi Arabia's commercial nuclear power sector with Saudi officials.

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Regional Nuclear Dynamics

Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have already signed a mutual defence pact after Israel launched an attack on Qatar targeting Hamas officials. Pakistan's defence minister later said his country's nuclear programme “will be made available” to Saudi Arabia if required, a statement widely viewed as a warning to Israel, which is widely believed to be the Middle East's only nuclear-armed state.

Although uranium enrichment alone does not produce a nuclear weapon and requires additional capabilities, including the use of synchronised high explosives, experts say it creates a pathway to weaponisation. These concerns have long shaped Western policy towards Iran's nuclear programme.

By contrast, the United Arab Emirates signed a "123 agreement" with the US to build the Barakah nuclear power plant with South Korean assistance without pursuing uranium enrichment. Non-proliferation experts have described that approach as the “gold standard” for countries seeking civilian nuclear power.

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Published on: Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 08:20 AM IST