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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has approved the agreement that will allow it Saudi Arabia to establish a civilian nuclear program capable of enriching uranium at its surface, marking a major shift in the US’s policy of non-proliferation, according to media reports.
Citing people familiar with the negotiations, the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times said on Tuesday that Trump should ask Congress to approve the deal, which could pave the way for US companies to help build nuclear plants in Saudi Arabia.
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The moment is likely to be controversial, with the US saying that one of the goals of its war against Iran is to prevent it from acquiring the ability to develop nuclear weapons. Critics say that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium could weaken the message, even if the program is used for civilians, while other commentators fear that increasing nuclear power could be misused.
Here’s what we know.
Why is this important?
Saudi Arabia has been pursuing a civilian nuclear program as a way to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil.
Discussions about the US nuclear deal have spread across several governments. Under former President Joe Biden, negotiations were tied to a broader package that included Saudi recognition of Israel, according to The Times.
The talks stalled after Israel’s terror attack on Gaza, but the Trump administration has revived the talks, removing what was supposed to be a settlement.
During Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the US last year, the two countries announced a plan for a joint nuclear deal, laying the foundation for what he described as a long-term partnership built on uncompromising standards.
What does the previous covenant say?
According to reports, the agreement will last for 30 years and allow US companies, including Westinghouse, the Pittsburgh-based nuclear energy giant, to help develop Saudi Arabia’s nuclear sector.
One of the most important steps is to allow Saudi Arabia to pursue uranium enrichment at home following the US-Saudi investigation.
Enriching uranium is illegal and is used to make fuel for nuclear power plants. However, the same technology could also produce highly enriched uranium suitable for nuclear weapons if the boost continues to increase.
Saudi Arabia has previously said it will seek a nuclear weapon if Iran takes it, although Tehran says its nuclear program is peaceful.
Why are some experts worried?
The proposed agreement is expected to fall short of standards accepted by other US agencies.
In 2009, the United Arab Emirates signed the so-called “123 Agreement” with Washington before opening its Barakah nuclear facility, agreeing not to enrich uranium or recycle nuclear fuel – a model that non-proliferation experts often call “golden”.
Reports suggest that the Saudi deal would instead allow enrichment and would not require the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Additional Protocol, which gives inspectors more powers to ensure that nuclear weapons are not sent to war.
Michael Horowitz, a geopolitical analyst, said the Saudi deal would be “very important” for several reasons.
“The US is said to have agreed to an agreement that is below the gold standard and does not include Additional Security – all designed to prevent a civilian program from turning into a military one,” he said.
“This is not in detail: if Riyadh wanted the US to help with the civilian program, it would have done so years ago – with Washington’s blessing.” In other words, the goal is to get US support for an agreement that does not completely remove the path to the nuclear program,” he added.
“That doesn’t mean there are no guarantees, but the guarantees are only bilateral, and that means they will depend” on the state of US-Saudi relations, Horowitz said.
Why would the US agree?
Aides say the deal would strengthen US influence in the Gulf.
In a report presented to Congress earlier this year, the Trump administration argued that expanding the nuclear deal would help protect US leadership in the world’s nuclear industry and prevent competitors from taking over the empire.
The government has also said that Saudi Arabia’s electricity supply makes nuclear power a key part of its long-term energy plan, despite its abundant oil reserves and climate suitable for solar power.
Will Congress approve this?
Any agreement on nuclear weapons must be submitted to Congress, which has the power to review and veto the so-called “123 agreements”.
Congress would need a two-thirds majority to veto a proposed deal and override any presidential veto.
The proposal is expected to confront lawmakers in both parties over the security measures that govern Saudi uranium enrichment.
Some members of Congress and Israeli officials have said that allowing the burden could set aside a future path to Saudi nuclear weapons, even if the program starts with civilian targets.
Andrea Stricker, deputy director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Nonproliferation Program, urged Congress to “block” the proposed deal.
“If not, one hopes that the policy will be changed by the administration before it causes serious damage in terms of water conservation, setting bad examples for other countries, and failing to spread the virus,” said Stricker.
