US to announce deal allowing Saudi Arabia a nuclear programme
BBC News 2026-07-22 14:49:12
Context: The US is expected to announce a deal with Saudi Arabia that will allow the Gulf kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear programme, with US companies potentially involved in building a facility to produce enriched uranium. The agreement, reportedly worth tens of billions of dollars, has raised concerns among nuclear experts and former officials in Israel about the potential for Saudi Arabia to develop a nuclear weapon. The deal is expected to be unveiled by US President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday.
Key Facts
- The US-Saudi deal, which has already been approved by Trump, will last 30 years and is estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars, with US companies potentially involved in building a facility to produce enriched uranium.
- Under the agreement, US companies will run nuclear power for the Saudis on Saudi soil, and Saudi Arabia may be allowed to enrich uranium on its soil to produce fuel at a US-built enrichment facility.
- The deal would allow Saudi Arabia to produce its own fuel, distinguishing it from a similar agreement struck by the US in 2009 with the United Arab Emirates, under which the UAE does not produce its own fuel and accepts a host of other restrictions.
- Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told CBS News in 2018 that his nation was not planning to acquire a nuclear weapon, but that "without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible".
- If the US objects to enrichment taking place in Saudi Arabia following a joint study, the kingdom would not be allowed to do so on its own or with another foreign partner for 10 years, according to The Wall Street Journal.