The United States and Saudi Arabia are nearing an agreement that would permit the Gulf kingdom to establish a civilian nuclear program, according to reports.
An announcement from the Trump administration was expected as early as Wednesday. The deal could be valued in the tens of billions of dollars over its 30-year duration, with U.S. companies potentially involved in constructing facilities to produce enriched uranium for nuclear power. This enriched uranium can also be used in the creation of nuclear weapons.
Under the terms, Saudi Arabia may be permitted to enrich uranium on its own soil to produce fuel, a provision that would distinguish this agreement from a 2009 deal with the United Arab Emirates, which restricts the UAE from producing its own fuel. The agreement would allow U.S. companies to operate nuclear power facilities within Saudi Arabia.
Nuclear experts and former officials in Israel, a key U.S. ally in the region, have expressed apprehension that the plan could pave the way for Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, stated in 2018 that the kingdom would pursue nuclear weapons if Iran were to develop them, though he also denied plans to acquire them at that time.
The potential deal is also expected to draw scrutiny from nuclear non-proliferation campaigners who aim to limit the spread of nuclear weapons globally.
Following a joint study with the U.S., Saudi Arabia could be allowed to enrich uranium for fuel. However, if the U.S. objects to this enrichment process, Saudi Arabia would be barred from doing so independently or with another foreign partner for a decade.
The agreement has already received approval from President Donald Trump. It will be submitted to the U.S. Congress for review, where some lawmakers from both parties are anticipated to oppose it, despite the Republican Party holding majorities in both chambers.
The New York Times has reported that the deal is not contingent on Saudi Arabia normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel, a long-standing U.S. foreign policy objective.