The 30-year agreement grants Saudi Arabia a civilian nuclear program worth tens of billions of dollars, with US companies exclusively building a uranium enrichment facility if a joint study deems it necessary. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to sign the deal with his Saudi counterpart tomorrow. Congress can block the deal only with a two-thirds majority vote, making rejection nearly impossible.
Final terms of the 30-year US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement were published Wednesday morning, with the White House confirming that American companies will exclusively build a uranium enrichment facility on Saudi soil contingent on a joint study. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to sign the deal with his Saudi counterpart later today. Congress can block the deal only with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers—a threshold that makes rejection nearly impossible.
The deal was first reported at 05:15 Jerusalem by Channel 12, citing a framework worth tens of billions of dollars that would give American companies a central role while pushing out foreign competitors. Almost simultaneously, separate reports confirmed US approval and then President Trump's confirmation of the 30-year agreement, specifying that it includes a uranium enrichment facility on Saudi soil, described as Saudi-Moroccan. The Wall Street Journal also reported on the deal at 05:16 Jerusalem. The Zioneer reported on the earlier developments, noting the enrichment clause's potential to trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
The agreement is part of the Trump administration's broader Middle East strategy, as The Zioneer reported. Non-proliferation experts have warned that even a civilian enrichment capability could be a stepping stone to a weapons program, though Saudi Arabia has maintained its commitment to peaceful nuclear energy under IAEA safeguards.
The exact timeline for the joint US-Saudi study that would determine the necessity of the enrichment facility remains unspecified. The deal's text is expected to be submitted to Congress within days.
7 developments
- StrongUS reports: Trump reaches 30-year civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, allows uranium enrichment on Saudi soil
- DevelopingDraft US-Saudi agreement may allow Saudi uranium enrichment without full international safeguards
- StrongTrump reportedly approves low-level uranium enrichment in Iran, drawing Israeli disappointment
- DevelopingIsrael concerned Trump may settle for diluted uranium, not removal
Source and signal
- Internal intake