The Trump administration plans to announce on July 22 that it has reached a broad nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, U.S. officials said, a deal that could allow the kingdom to enrich its own fuel for nuclear reactors.
Two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy, said the administration intends to formally sign and announce the accord with Saudi Arabia before presenting details to Congress. The agreement is expected to deepen U.S.-Saudi ties at a time when the war with Iran has strained the relationship.
Officials said the administration estimates the agreement could generate billions of dollars for the U.S. nuclear industry, beginning with Westinghouse, which designs many reactors sold overseas.
The deal, known as a 123 Agreement under the Atomic Energy Act, would establish a legally binding framework for nuclear cooperation between the two countries. Such agreements are intended to support civilian nuclear projects while limiting the spread of nuclear weapons. The United States currently has 26 such agreements with 51 governments and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
However, the Saudi agreement is expected to face intense debate in Washington. Some U.S. lawmakers from both parties, along with Israeli officials, have expressed concern that a civilian nuclear program could eventually help Saudi Arabia develop nuclear weapons.
The accord includes terms that may limit international inspectors’ access to sites they suspect could be used to divert nuclear fuel for weapons projects. It also leaves open the possibility that Saudi Arabia could enrich uranium or reprocess plutonium on its own soil after a joint study with the United States on the economics of producing nuclear fuel.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, has previously said the kingdom would build nuclear weapons if Iran did so. Iran says its nuclear program is for civilian purposes, but it has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels after Trump withdrew the United States from the Obama-era nuclear deal in 2018.
The agreement has been discussed for years. Under the Biden administration, it was considered part of a broader proposal that would have included Saudi diplomatic recognition of Israel. That effort weakened after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. President Trump separated civilian nuclear cooperation from any requirement that Saudi Arabia recognize Israel.
Congress must review the agreement and has the authority to vote on a resolution of disapproval. In practice, however, the deal is likely to move forward unless lawmakers can assemble a veto-proof majority to block it.
The agreement also includes two secret side letters with Saudi Arabia. The administration is expected to argue that they contain proprietary business information and sensitive national security details, but some lawmakers may demand that the letters be made public before supporting the accord.
The terms appear less restrictive than the 2009 U.S. nuclear agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which required more stringent inspections and barred the U.A.E. from producing its own nuclear fuel. That deal became known as the “gold standard” for nuclear nonproliferation.
Trump and Prince Mohammed agreed to move ahead with civilian nuclear cooperation during the crown prince’s visit to the White House last November. U.S. and Saudi officials continued negotiations afterward and were finalizing details this spring and summer.
The agreement comes as Washington and Riyadh seek to stabilize their relationship. The two governments have also discussed a defense arrangement that would include the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, though it would fall short of a formal treaty requiring Senate ratification.
