The Trump administration is expected to announce a deal permitting Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear program. US officials indicated an announcement could come Wednesday.
The agreement could be worth billions, with US companies potentially building an enrichment facility to produce uranium fuel for power plants. Nuclear experts in Israel, a key US ally, have expressed concern this could lead to Saudi development of nuclear weapons.
Unlike a 2009 US agreement with the UAE, which prohibits domestic fuel production, this deal may allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its own soil after a joint study with the US. If the US later objects to enrichment, Saudi Arabia would be restricted from pursuing it independently or with another partner for ten years.
The deal, approved by President Trump and lasting 30 years, will be sent to Congress. It is not contingent on Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated in 2018 that the kingdom would pursue a nuclear weapon if Iran developed one.