The Trump administration has approved a civil nuclear energy agreement with Saudi Arabia, paving the way for U.S. industry to assist in developing the Kingdom's nuclear infrastructure. The 30-year deal is valued in the tens of billions of dollars.
Officials familiar with the agreement stated that it includes safeguards intended to prevent weaponization efforts. However, the framework for these safeguards would be managed by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, rather than the International Atomic Energy Agency, which typically oversees such international nuclear pacts.
This arrangement leaves open the possibility that Saudi Arabia could enrich uranium domestically in the future, a prospect that raises concerns about nuclear weapons proliferation. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the approval and indicated that the administration would work with Congress to formalize the deal.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the agreement on Wednesday, declining to comment on its specifics but emphasizing the administration's commitment to non-proliferation. "Suffice it to say, the U.S. is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation," Rubio stated.
The details of the proposal were discussed during a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington, D.C., last fall. Federal law requires the administration to submit the deal to Congress for review. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the president's approval of the agreement.