Washington DC: The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark civil nuclear cooperation agreement that establishes a framework for the kingdom to construct nuclear reactors using American technology and potentially enrich uranium on domestic soil. The 30-year pact, known as a 123 Agreement, was signed alongside a bilateral safeguards agreement by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. Expected to generate tens of billions of dollars in commercial value, the deal positions American firms, including Westinghouse Electric Company, to build AP1000 reactors and lead the development of Saudi Arabia’s emerging nuclear infrastructure.
The agreement marks a significant departure from previous American non-proliferation frameworks in the Middle East. Unlike the 2009 accord signed with the United Arab Emirates, which explicitly barred enrichment and spent-fuel reprocessing, the new arrangement allows for a joint feasibility study regarding the potential construction of an American-led uranium enrichment facility in the kingdom. Additionally, the pact does not currently incorporate the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, which grants international inspectors authority to conduct intrusive snap inspections. U.S. officials maintain that the deal adheres strictly to the non-proliferation requirements of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act and includes stringent oversight mechanisms to prevent military applications.
The announcement has ignited intense debate among lawmakers and non-proliferation experts regarding regional security and strategic competition. Critics warn that granting enrichment capabilities to Saudi Arabia could spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, particularly amidst ongoing regional conflicts and historical statements from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the kingdom would seek atomic weapons if rival states acquired them. Conversely, supporters argue that the bilateral deal prevents Saudi Arabia from partnering with foreign rivals like China or Russia, secures long-term economic benefits for American industry, and deepens strategic ties between Washington and Riyadh. The agreement now heads to the U.S. Congress for a mandatory statutory review period.
