President Donald Trump has approved a 30-year civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could eventually allow the kingdom to enrich uranium for use in civilian reactors, according to CNN reporting citing U.S. officials.

Under the agreement, American companies would provide technology and expertise to help develop Saudi Arabia’s nuclear energy program. The arrangement is estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars and could be formally announced soon.

Before any enrichment begins, U.S. and Saudi officials would assess whether a domestic enrichment facility is commercially justified. If the project moves forward, U.S. companies would build the facility, while sensitive technical knowledge would not be transferred directly to Saudi authorities.

Proliferation concerns

The proposed framework has already prompted concern in Washington and across the Middle East. Uranium enrichment can produce fuel for power reactors, but the same process—when taken to much higher levels—can also create material for a nuclear weapon.

Critics are questioning the inspection and oversight provisions, especially because the deal reportedly does not require Saudi Arabia to adopt the strongest international safeguards applied in some previous U.S. nuclear agreements. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said the kingdom would pursue a nuclear weapon if Iran obtained one.

The agreement is expected to be submitted to Congress for review. Lawmakers could seek to block it through a resolution of disapproval, although overcoming a presidential veto would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

Washington has pursued a civilian nuclear accord with Riyadh for years. During the Biden administration, negotiations were linked to a broader effort to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, but that initiative stalled after the October 7, 2023 attacks and the war in Gaza.

Source: CNN. This article is an independently written summary.