A landmark nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia has triggered alarm across the Middle East and in Washington, with critics warning it could pave the way for domestic uranium enrichment and a regional arms race.
Under the 30-year agreement, the US will provide American technology and expertise to help Saudi Arabia establish a civilian nuclear program. US energy secretary Chris Wright said the deal is designed to meet the country's “energy needs”. For Saudi Arabia, the move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s economic plan to use nuclear power for electricity generation, freeing up more oil for export.
“Landmark US-Saudi nuclear deal raises alarm over potential domestic uranium enrichment and regional arms race.”
The deal, worth tens of billions of dollars, would make American companies central to developing Saudi nuclear infrastructure while denying competitors such as China and Russia a foothold. It is a continuation of a plan first conceived during the Biden administration, which would have linked nuclear cooperation to Saudi Arabia normalising ties with Israel. That prospect was derailed by the 7 October attack by Hamas and the subsequent war in Gaza. The Trump administration has chosen to push the deal through without the wider agreement with Israel.
However, the core concern centres on whether Saudi Arabia will be allowed to enrich uranium domestically. Many countries with civilian nuclear programmes do not enrich their own fuel, instead importing it, because the enrichment process can theoretically produce highly enriched uranium suitable for a nuclear weapon. The deal reportedly paves the way for building a uranium enrichment facility in the kingdom, but this would require a joint US-Saudi study lasting two years to determine if such a facility is necessary. That timeline could leave Donald Trump’s successor in the White House with the final decision.
The Financial Times reported that the accord lacks “gold standard” safeguards on enrichment, raising proliferation risks. Critics fear that even a civilian programme could set off an arms race in the volatile region. The US justification for proceeding with the deal remains unclear, but the agreement is already reshaping energy and security dynamics in the Middle East.