Trump's nuclear deal with Saudis jettisons longstanding US demands - BBC

What the report says

BBC News reported that the Trump administration’s new nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia marks a significant break from previous US policy toward the kingdom. Earlier presidents had tied access to American civilian nuclear technology to Saudi normalisation with Israel, but reported details of the pact indicate Riyadh secured the arrangement without making that concession. President Donald Trump later wrote on social media that the deal was linked to Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, though the BBC said the agreement has not been released and it remains unclear whether that condition is in the text or accepted by Saudi Arabia.

The pact is being read as part of Trump’s more transactional Middle East approach, with Washington prioritising economic influence and competition with China while trying to keep Gulf allies close. Analysts cited by the BBC said Middle Eastern governments are pursuing nuclear infrastructure regardless, and US involvement may be intended to steer Saudi Arabia away from Chinese partnerships.

The agreement is a political gain for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has long sought US nuclear cooperation as Saudi Arabia looks to diversify its energy sector and meet future electricity demand. However, the BBC reported that critics are concerned the deal may not include the strongest safeguards against a future weapons programme and may allow uranium enrichment inside Saudi Arabia, unlike the stricter 2009 US agreement with the United Arab Emirates.

The deal has drawn objections from some Israeli politicians and Democratic lawmakers in the US, who warn it could intensify regional nuclear competition, especially amid conflict involving Iran. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the pact as beneficial for the American economy and consistent with nuclear safety and nonproliferation standards.