US Set to Hand Saudi Arabia a Civilian Nuclear Programme in Major Pact

Washington is poised to announce an agreement granting Riyadh the right to develop nuclear energy, a move certain to alarm Israel and trigger a fight in Congress.

The United States is expected to announce a deal Wednesday permitting Saudi Arabia to pursue a civilian nuclear programme.
The agreement fulfils a long-standing Saudi demand and comes amid broader US-Saudi diplomatic engagement.
Israel is expected to raise strong objections, citing regional security concerns.
Several US lawmakers have previously opposed transferring sensitive nuclear technology to Riyadh.
The deal's terms — including whether Saudi Arabia would be permitted to enrich uranium domestically — remain a central point of scrutiny.

The United States is set to announce a deal Wednesday granting Saudi Arabia the right to develop a civilian nuclear programme, a significant concession to Riyadh that could reshape the security architecture of the Middle East.

The agreement fulfils a years-long Saudi ambition and was expected to be confirmed by US officials on Wednesday, the BBC reported, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.

The terms under discussion include whether Saudi Arabia would be allowed to enrich uranium on its own soil — a provision that has previously stalled talks and drawn alarm from nonproliferation experts.

Israel is expected to object sharply. Israeli officials have long argued that any nuclear capability in Saudi hands raises the risk of wider proliferation across a volatile region.

Opposition is also anticipated inside Washington. A bloc of US lawmakers has resisted civilian nuclear transfers to the kingdom, pointing to Saudi Arabia's refusal in earlier negotiations to sign a so-called 123 Agreement that would bar domestic enrichment and reprocessing.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration has pursued closer economic and security ties with Riyadh, including a reported $142 billion arms agreement reached during President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia in May 2025.

Congressional review of any formal nuclear cooperation agreement is required under US law. Hearings on the deal are expected to begin in the coming weeks.