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US, Saudi Sign Civil Nuclear Pact; Critics Cite Proliferation Threat

7/30/2026

Center

US, Saudi Sign

The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement on July 22, 2026.
U.S. firms Westinghouse and Quantum Leap Energy, in which President Donald Trump’s sons hold partial ownership, could earn billions from the partnership.
The pact includes a two-year feasibility study that could enable Saudi domestic uranium enrichment.
The agreement does not require Saudi Arabia to adopt the IAEA Additional Protocol, limiting inspections.

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US, Saudi Pact

The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement on 22 July 2026.
Critics argue the pact could enable Saudi uranium enrichment, undermine non-proliferation, and that Trump’s Abraham Accords condition undermines confidence in U.S. reliability.
U.S. lawmakers say civilian nuclear cooperation must include strict enrichment limits and robust verification measures.
Israeli officials said the deal surprised Israel and warned it could open a path to nuclear weapons development.

History

Historical Context

The United States first pursued civilian nuclear ties with Saudi Arabia in a 2008 Atoms-for-Peace memorandum, followed by Saudi nuclear program launches in 2010 and multiple reactor deals with South Korea (2015) and China (2017). After negotiations ended in October 2025, President Donald Trump signed a 30-year Section 123 Agreement on July 22 2026, but it omits the IAEA Additional Protocol, reviving earlier proliferation worries.

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US, Saudi Sign

The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement on July 22, 2026.
U.S. firms Westinghouse and Quantum Leap Energy, in which President Donald Trump’s sons hold partial ownership, could earn billions from the partnership.
The pact includes a two-year feasibility study that could enable Saudi domestic uranium enrichment.
The agreement does not require Saudi Arabia to adopt the IAEA Additional Protocol, limiting inspections.

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