Lead

The United States and Saudi Arabia have agreed to a civilian nuclear deal that could allow the kingdom to enrich uranium on its own soil, according to reports from multiple news organisations. The agreement, expected to be announced as early as Wednesday, marks a significant shift in longstanding US non-proliferation policy and has drawn criticism from those who fear it could trigger a regional nuclear arms race.

The deal, reported to last 30 years, would involve US firms in developing Saudi Arabia's nuclear programme and could include the construction of a uranium enrichment facility following a joint US-Saudi study, according to sources familiar with the matter cited by several outlets.

Coverage comparison

The BBC reported that the agreement could be worth billions of dollars to the US, whose companies could be involved in building a facility to produce enriched uranium — a material that can fuel power plants but also be used in nuclear weapons. The BBC noted that the provision allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its soil would distinguish this agreement from a 2009 US deal with the United Arab Emirates, under which the UAE does not produce its own fuel and accepts other restrictions.

The Jerusalem Post reported that the proposed plants would have the capacity to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel without pervasive oversight. The outlet also reported that the deal would remove one of the key incentives for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel — a condition that had been part of earlier negotiations under the Biden administration, which were upended by the October 7, 2023 attack.

Al Jazeera reported that the deal had stalled for years over the normalization requirement, which was dropped in the final agreement. The outlet also noted that the Trump administration revived discussions and removed the requirement.

ABC Australia reported that the deal is expected to be submitted to Congress in the coming days, but its approval is not required for it to go through. The outlet also reported that US politicians from both parties and Israeli officials had voiced opposition to a civilian nuclear project for Saudi Arabia over fears it could be converted to eventually develop nuclear weapons.

Key claims

  • The US and Saudi Arabia have agreed to a civilian nuclear deal allowing Riyadh to build nuclear reactors using American technology.
  • The deal had stalled for years over a requirement for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel — a demand that was dropped in the final deal.
  • Critics say the deal could compromise Israel's long-term security interests.
  • The deal could lead to a regional nuclear arms race.
  • Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the agreement is a "serious strategic failure" for Israel.
  • Saudi Arabia has previously said it would seek a nuclear weapon if Iran were to acquire one.

Perspectives

Israeli government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defence and Foreign Ministers have so far not commented on the deal, which critics say compromises Israel's long-term security interests.

Former Israeli officials

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called the agreement "a serious strategic failure that endangers our security," saying "nuclear enrichment on Saudi soil could lead to a regional nuclear race and a dangerous loss of control." Former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said "the civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia will end in nuclear weapons and will lead to a crazy arms race throughout the entire Middle East." He urged Israel to oppose the deal and lobby Congress to stop it.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told CBS News in 2018 that his nation was not planning to acquire a nuclear weapon, but that "without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible." Saudi Arabia has long sought a civilian nuclear programme as part of plans to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil.

US administration

The Trump administration said the agreement would provide billions of dollars for the US nuclear industry. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to confirm the deal in Manila, saying "the US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation."