- The United States and Saudi Arabia have agreed a nuclear cooperation deal to establish a civilian nuclear programme in the kingdom, but President Trump later said Saudi Arabia must first normalise relations with Israel.
- The agreement is expected to last 30 years and includes a possible US-built uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia, though Trump suggested enrichment may be off the table.
- The deal must go to US Congress for review, but Trump’s normalisation demand leaves it in a state of diplomatic suspension according to analyst Steven Cook.
- If the deal fails, Saudi Arabia could look to cooperate with China, Russia, South Korea, UAE or France.
- Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy said the agreement bolsters cooperation and mutual interests. Trump said the deal pertains only to nonmilitary use similar to Iran and UAE.
- The deal allows a Saudi-based enrichment facility only after a joint two-year study by the US and Saudi Arabia.
- Saudi Arabia has not agreed to the IAEA’s additional protocol but has agreed to a bilateral safeguards agreement with the US. The IAEA is awaiting a request to implement verification.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have agreed on a nuclear cooperation deal aimed at establishing a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom, expected to last 30 years. This agreement is designed to transfer US technology to help meet Saudi Arabia's growing energy needs.1234
However, President Trump has complicated the deal by insisting that Saudi Arabia must first normalize relations with Israel, a condition that Riyadh has long resisted. Saudi Arabia has stated it will not establish formal relations with Israel until a peace agreement is reached, which the current Israeli government opposes.910
The deal includes provisions for US companies to potentially build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia, although Trump's recent comments suggest that Saudi-based enrichment may be off the table. Steven Cook, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, noted that Trump's demand has left the deal “in a state of diplomatic suspension.”567
The agreement must be submitted to Congress for review, but the timeline remains uncertain due to the new conditions imposed by Trump. If the deal fails, Saudi Arabia may seek cooperation with other nations such as China, Russia, or France. Saudi Arabia has agreed to a bilateral safeguards agreement with the US, but has not yet accepted the International Atomic Energy Agency's additional protocol for expanded monitoring and verification.121314
The IAEA is awaiting a request from Washington and Riyadh to implement verification measures under the agreement before seeking authorization from its board of governors.
“Trump later demanded Saudi Arabia normalize ties with Israel, leaving the deal in a 'state of diplomatic suspension,' per analyst Steven Cook. The 30-year agreement allows a joint two-year study on enrichment and must be submitted to Congress for review.”
