Saudi Arabia could soon gain the ability to enrich uranium on its own soil under a new, controversial nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States—a move that critics warn could trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
The deal, signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, establishes a partnership allowing American companies to help build and run commercial nuclear power plants in the Gulf kingdom. Valued at billions of dollars, the agreement aims to strengthen economic ties and secure US influence in the region, particularly as Russia and China compete for similar partnerships.
However, the agreement does not include the "gold standard" of nuclear safeguards. Unlike the landmark 2009 US-UAE nuclear deal, which strictly prohibits the United Arab Emirates from enriching uranium or reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, this agreement lacks those explicit restrictions. It also does not require Saudi Arabia to adopt terms that allow for greater oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
This omission has alarmed nuclear non-proliferation experts. Because enriched uranium can be used both as fuel for power plants and as the core material for nuclear bombs, helping Saudi Arabia enrich uranium on its own soil is seen as a major risk. Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East programme at the Defense Priorities think tank, noted that the US has never before helped another nation enrich uranium on its own territory. "If you can produce your own nuclear fuel, you become a much bigger risk" for building nuclear weapons, Kelanic said.
The strategic stakes are high, given the geopolitical tensions in the region. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously stated that if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia will follow suit. Critics argue that giving the kingdom access to enrichment technology, even for peaceful civilian use, could pave the way for a future weapons program.
US officials have defended the deal. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the agreements "uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also dismissed concerns, asserting that the US would not enter into any agreement that risks proliferation.
The agreement now faces a 90-day review process in Congress. While President Trump's Republican Party controls both chambers, the deal is expected to meet bipartisan resistance from lawmakers concerned about regional stability and nuclear safety.