Trump Administration Approves Broad Civil Nuclear Agreement with Saudi Arabia, Reports Say
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
WASHINGTON, July 22, Saudi Arabia Breaking News — The Trump administration has approved a broad civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, according to reports published by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times late on Tuesday.
The New York Times, citing unnamed US officials, reported that the agreement would be announced on Wednesday. The Wall Street Journal said US President Donald Trump had formally approved the deal.
CNN previously reported that the White House had tentatively agreed to permit Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium without adopting international safeguards intended to prevent the development of nuclear weapons. The agreement had been awaiting Trump’s signature, according to sources familiar with the matter and documents reviewed by CNN.
Two sources told CNN that the uranium-enrichment provision included conditions imposed by the United States, although the details and extent of any restrictions remained unclear.
The proposed arrangement is known as a “123 agreement,” referring to Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act, and provides a legal framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and another country.
The agreement would not, by itself, represent a final decision on whether Saudi Arabia receives sensitive nuclear technology or material.
Any transfer of nuclear technology to the Kingdom could face scrutiny in the United States and across the Middle East, particularly over uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing. The two processes can produce material used in civilian nuclear energy programmes but can also provide pathways to developing nuclear weapons.
Most countries operating civilian nuclear reactors do not enrich uranium domestically. Instead, they purchase nuclear fuel from suppliers such as the United States or Russia and receive it in sealed shipments under international supervision.
Israel, which is widely believed to possess undeclared nuclear weapons, has previously expressed concern about Saudi access to sensitive nuclear technology.
Iran maintains a stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels and has said it will continue its nuclear programme, which it maintains is intended for civilian purposes.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said that Saudi Arabia would develop a nuclear weapon if Iran acquired one.
