Trump approves nuclear agreement that may allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, two AP sources say - AP News

What the report says

The Associated Press reported that President Donald Trump has approved a proposed U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could give the kingdom a path to uranium enrichment for a civilian energy program. AP cited two people familiar with the decision who were not authorized to discuss it publicly. They said the agreement had not yet been formally announced and could be made public as early as Wednesday.

According to AP, the arrangement is expected to run for 30 years and include a role for American companies in developing Saudi Arabia’s nuclear sector. It could permit construction of a uranium enrichment facility in the kingdom after a joint U.S.-Saudi study. The agreement is expected to go to Congress for review, where it may face opposition from lawmakers concerned about nuclear proliferation.

A key point in AP’s report is that the deal is not expected to include the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, which provides for broader monitoring and verification. Saudi Arabia is already an IAEA member. Nonproliferation experts have long warned that domestic enrichment capability can increase weapons-related risks, even though enrichment alone is not sufficient to build a nuclear weapon.

The potential announcement comes amid heightened regional nuclear tensions, including the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran described by AP as aimed partly at limiting Tehran’s nuclear capacity. AP noted that both Trump and former President Joe Biden had pursued nuclear cooperation with Riyadh, while the United Arab Emirates previously accepted a U.S. nuclear deal without seeking enrichment.