Saudi nuclear programme negotiations have entered a new phase after the administration of US President Donald Trump signalled support for a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that would allow the kingdom to enrich uranium and process spent nuclear fuel, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
The proposed agreement, which could soon be submitted to the US Congress, would give Saudi Arabia access to American nuclear technology while opening the door for US companies to compete for contracts to develop the kingdom’s nuclear energy sector. The move also reflects Washington’s broader effort to strengthen energy cooperation with one of the world’s largest oil exporters.
However, the draft agreement reportedly omits the long-standing US “gold standard” provision that prohibits partner countries from enriching uranium or reprocessing spent nuclear fuel. It also excludes an additional protocol that provides expanded international oversight of nuclear activities.
Those omissions are expected to raise concerns among US lawmakers and regional allies, particularly Israel, over the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation. The issue has also prompted questions about the consistency of US policy, given that one of Washington’s justifications for military action against Iran earlier this year centred on Tehran’s refusal to abandon uranium enrichment.
Saudi Arabia is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has committed not to develop nuclear weapons while accepting international inspections. Nevertheless, successive US administrations have traditionally sought stronger safeguards before sharing sensitive nuclear technology.
The kingdom argues that nuclear power is essential to its long-term energy transition strategy. Although Saudi Arabia remains the world’s largest crude oil exporter, most of its electricity is generated by burning oil and natural gas. Expanding nuclear generation would allow more crude oil to be exported while supporting rising domestic demand for electricity, water desalination and air conditioning, helping advance Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s economic diversification programme.
Saudi Arabia has also previously stated that it would seek nuclear weapons if Iran were to acquire one, a position that has heightened international scrutiny of its nuclear ambitions despite its insistence that the programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes.
US Senator Chris Murphy criticised the proposed agreement, warning on social media that it could accelerate regional nuclear competition.
“This agreement will set off a nuclear race in the region, further disincentivising Iran from limiting its own programme."
Once the administration formally submits the agreement, Congress will have 90 legislative session days to block it. However, lawmakers would need a two-thirds majority to override a potential presidential veto.
Many countries operating civilian nuclear power plants import enriched uranium rather than producing it domestically. Saudi Arabia, however, announced in January 2025 that it intends to enrich its own uranium to produce “yellowcake” fuel for nuclear power generation and potential commercial export.
The proposed agreement reportedly creates a legal framework for cooperation across the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium enrichment, but does not require the United States to transfer enrichment technology or operational capabilities to Saudi Arabia.
The initiative also carries significant commercial benefits for Washington. A civil nuclear agreement would position American companies to secure major contracts to construct Saudi nuclear power plants while giving US authorities greater visibility into the kingdom’s nuclear activities.
The agreement falls under Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which governs civilian nuclear cooperation between the United States and foreign governments. The law sets out nine non-proliferation requirements and requires congressional review before such agreements can take effect.
The proposed pact is separate from earlier efforts by former President Joe Biden to link civil nuclear cooperation with the normalisation of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Reuters has previously reported that the two issues are no longer formally connected, although a nuclear agreement could still strengthen broader US-Saudi strategic ties. Riyadh has maintained that it will not normalise relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
If negotiations with Washington fail, Saudi Arabia has several alternative partners. China’s state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation reportedly submitted a proposal in 2023 to build a nuclear power plant in the kingdom. Russia’s Rosatom, which constructed Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear power plant, has already signed preliminary cooperation agreements with Riyadh. South Korea and France are also considered potential contenders.
Another unresolved issue is whether any future uranium enrichment facility would be located in Saudi Arabia, who would operate it and whether Saudi personnel would have access to enrichment technology. Analysts say that without stringent safeguards, uranium enrichment facilities could theoretically produce highly enriched uranium suitable for nuclear weapons.
The outcome of the negotiations is expected to have implications well beyond Saudi Arabia, influencing global nuclear energy investment, Middle East energy security and the regional balance between civilian nuclear development and non-proliferation.
