The Trump administration is expected to announce a landmark civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, a deal that could allow the kingdom to enrich its own uranium, according to multiple reports. The agreement, which has been approved by President Donald Trump, would see American companies build and operate nuclear power plants on Saudi soil, potentially enabling the Gulf state to produce its own nuclear fuel for the first time. The announcement has already drawn concern from some U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials, who fear the arrangement could pave the way for Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons (CBS News; BBC News; NBC News).

Main Story

The Trump administration is set to announce a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could allow the kingdom to enrich its own uranium, according to multiple U.S. media reports. The deal, expected to be signed Wednesday at about 1:30 p.m., would see American companies build and operate nuclear power plants on Saudi soil, supporting purposes such as powering AI data centers (CBS News). A regional official familiar with the agreement told CBS News that the commercial deal involves U.S. companies running, not giving, nuclear power to the Saudi government. The specific corporations involved have not yet been disclosed (CBS News).

The agreement fulfills a long-held Saudi ambition to develop a civilian nuclear program. Under the terms, after a joint study with the U.S., Saudi Arabia may be allowed to enrich uranium on its soil to produce fuel at a U.S.-built enrichment facility, instead of relying on imported fuel. This provision distinguishes the deal from a 2009 U.S. agreement with the United Arab Emirates, under which the UAE does not produce its own fuel and accepts a host of other restrictions (BBC News).

The deal has been approved by President Trump and will last 30 years, according to the Wall Street Journal. If the U.S. objects to enrichment taking place in Saudi Arabia following the joint study, the kingdom would not be allowed to do so on its own or with another foreign partner for 10 years (BBC News).

Why It Matters

The agreement could be worth billions of dollars to the U.S., whose companies would be involved in building the enrichment facility. However, it raises significant non-proliferation concerns. Enriched uranium can be used as fuel for power plants but also to make nuclear bombs. Nuclear experts and former officials in Israel, the U.S.'s top ally in the Middle East, have voiced concern that the plan could ultimately lead to Saudi Arabia being able to develop a nuclear weapon (BBC News). 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, Saudi Arabia would follow suit as soon as possible (BBC News).

The nuclear issue has been at the center of the months-long U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. The two nations say one of the reasons they attacked Iran in February was to prevent the country from ever developing a nuclear weapon, something that Tehran denies planning to do (BBC News).

Political Context

The plan will now be sent to the U.S. Congress. Some lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are expected to oppose the deal, though Trump's Republican Party controls both the upper and lower chambers (BBC News). Congress will be required to vote on the agreement, but would need a veto-proof majority to actually block the deal (NBC News).

An agreement to normalize ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia had previously been a U.S. requirement for any deal allowing the kingdom to enrich uranium, but Saudi leaders insisted on a path to Palestinian statehood, which Israel rejected. The current deal does not include such a condition (NBC News).

What Officials and Groups Are Saying

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of the announcement that the U.S. would not reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation (NBC News).

Nuclear non-proliferation campaigners are expected to oppose the deal, as their ultimate aim is to prevent an increase in the number of nuclear weapons worldwide (BBC News).

U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The New York Times that the deal was designed to solidify ties between Washington and Riyadh (The Hill).

Timeline

  • 2009: U.S. signs a civilian nuclear agreement with the UAE that prohibits domestic enrichment and reprocessing.
  • 2018: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tells CBS News Saudi Arabia does not want a nuclear bomb but would follow Iran if it developed one.
  • February 2026: U.S. and Israel launch a military campaign against Iran, citing the need to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
  • July 21, 2026: The New York Times reports that the Trump administration will announce a deal allowing Saudi enrichment.
  • July 22, 2026: Multiple outlets confirm the deal has been approved by President Trump and will be announced Wednesday.
  • July 23, 2026 (expected): Formal announcement of the U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal allow?

The deal allows U.S. companies to build and operate nuclear power plants in Saudi Arabia. It may also permit Saudi Arabia to enrich its own uranium after a joint study with the U.S., rather than relying on imported fuel (CBS News; BBC News).

Why are some lawmakers and Israel concerned?

Enriched uranium can be used to make nuclear weapons. Critics fear that Saudi Arabia could use its civilian program as a cover to develop a nuclear bomb, which would destabilize the Middle East (NYT; BBC News).

How is this deal different from the U.S.-UAE agreement?

The 2009 U.S.-UAE agreement prohibits the UAE from enriching uranium or reprocessing fuel. The Saudi deal may allow enrichment, making it less restrictive (BBC News).

Can Congress block the deal?

Congress must vote on the agreement, but it would need a veto-proof majority to block it, which is unlikely given Republican control of both chambers (NBC News).

Does the deal require Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel?

No. Previous U.S. requirements for normalization with Israel were dropped after Saudi leaders insisted on a path to Palestinian statehood, which Israel rejected (NBC News).

What Happens Next

The formal announcement is expected Wednesday at about 1:30 p.m. The deal will then be sent to Congress for review, where it is likely to face opposition but is expected to survive given the Republican majority. The agreement also sets the stage for potential Saudi enrichment, which will be studied jointly with the U.S. over the coming years. The outcome will have significant implications for nuclear non-proliferation efforts, U.S.-Saudi relations, and the regional balance of power, particularly in the context of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Readers should watch for congressional hearings and further statements from Israeli officials as the deal moves forward.