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The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a nuclear cooperation agreement that could potentially allow the kingdom to enrich uranium. The agreement was formalized on Wednesday by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, according to the US Department of Energy.

The deal includes a "peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement" and a "bilateral safeguards agreement," the department said in a statement. It is expected to lay the foundation for a 30-year, multi-billion-dollar nuclear partnership, with US companies receiving preferred treatment when Saudi Arabia builds its nuclear infrastructure.

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the agreement has varied in emphasis, with some outlets focusing on the economic benefits and others on the proliferation implications.

The Guardian described the deal as "landmark" and highlighted the potential for US nuclear technology exports and job creation. The Guardian also noted that the agreement is expected to last 30 years and involve US firms such as Westinghouse in developing the programme.

The Hindu reported that the bilateral safeguards agreement would apply additional verification measures to proliferation-sensitive areas such as enrichment, conversion, fuel fabrication and reprocessing. It also noted that Saudi Arabia wants to enrich uranium to meet its growing energy demands.

TASS, citing the US Department of Energy, reported that the agreement is designed for several decades and is intended to provide "great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program."

Yonhap News Agency took a critical stance, arguing that the US willingness to permit Saudi Arabia to pursue domestic uranium enrichment "exposes an inconsistency" in Washington's nonproliferation policy, particularly when compared to restrictions on South Korea.

The BBC reported the basic fact of the signing, with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman formalising the deal.

Key claims

  • The US Department of Energy signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement and a bilateral safeguards agreement with Saudi Arabia, as reported by The Guardian, TASS, and The Hindu.
  • The deal is expected to last 30 years and involve US companies in developing Saudi Arabia's nuclear programme, according to The Guardian and The Hindu.
  • US companies will get preferred treatment when Saudi Arabia builds its nuclear infrastructure, as reported by The Hindu.
  • The bilateral safeguards agreement will apply additional verification measures to proliferation-sensitive areas, according to The Hindu.
  • Saudi Arabia wants to enrich uranium to meet its growing energy demands, a claim carried by The Hindu and The Guardian.
  • The deal will be transmitted to Congress for review, as reported by The Guardian and TASS.
  • The partnership is expected to expand American nuclear technology exports and create high-paying US jobs, according to the US Department of Energy, as quoted by The Guardian.

Perspectives

The agreement has drawn criticism from nonproliferation advocates. Alicia Sanders-Zakre, an official representative of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), called the deal "extremely irresponsible" and said it "calls into question Washington's commitment to preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons." She urged the US Congress to ensure the strongest safeguards are included.

Yonhap News Agency framed the deal as evidence of a "double standard" in US policy, noting that while Saudi Arabia may be permitted to enrich uranium, South Korea—a close ally and responsible nuclear state—faces restrictions imposed more than half a century ago. The outlet argued that the US should reconsider its stance on Korea's nuclear fuel rights.

On the other hand, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the agreement, stating that it "upholds the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation." He also said the deal would "strengthen America's energy and national security posture" and expand commercial relations with Saudi Arabia.

The deal's future is uncertain, with US President Donald Trump saying on Thursday that any nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia would depend on the kingdom signing the Abraham Accords and normalizing ties with Israel. The White House later said the "deal is off" if the Saudis do not join the accords, as reported by The Hindu and TASS.