The Trump administration is celebrating a new nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, calling it a win for the U.S. economy and national security. But critics aren't nearly as enthusiastic, warning the deal could weaken long-standing safeguards meant to keep nuclear technology from being turned into nuclear weapons.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed the agreement Wednesday alongside Saudi Energy Minister His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. The agreement, known as a "123 agreement," is the legal framework the United States uses for civilian nuclear cooperation with other countries and is intended to meet federal nonproliferation and security requirements.
The White House says the agreement sets the stage for what it calls a "decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership" between the two countries.
"The 123 agreement provides great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program, benefiting American industry, workers, and supply chains while helping to meet Saudi energy needs," the administration said in a statement.
Officials also said the agreement will strengthen America's energy security, deepen ties with Saudi Arabia and reinforce global nuclear nonproliferation standards. Before it can take effect, however, Congress will have the opportunity to review it.
That's where the debate is expected to heat up.
Almost immediately after news of the agreement broke, Democrats and nuclear experts began raising concerns over whether the deal contains enough safeguards to prevent Saudi Arabia from eventually developing a nuclear weapon.
Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was among the first to speak out.
"I have deep concerns about a potential US–Saudi civilian nuclear agreement as reported, which would significantly erode existing nonproliferation standards," Meeks wrote on X.
He added, "Any agreement must include appropriate limits on enrichment and reprocessing as well as the IAEA Additional Protocol."
Much of the concern centers on reports that the agreement could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium under U.S. oversight while limiting its use to civilian purposes.
Saudi Arabia has pursued a civilian nuclear program for years. During the Biden administration, negotiations over a similar agreement were tied to a broader effort that included Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel. Those talks stalled after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack and the war that followed in Gaza.
Critics argue that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium could have consequences well beyond Riyadh. Some experts say it would make it harder for the United States to argue that Iran should not have the same capability, an issue that has remained one of the biggest sticking points in negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program.
Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, believes the agreement could eventually give Saudi Arabia greater leverage over Washington.
"It has happened many times before with other U.S. partners — South Korea and West Germany for example. They made nuclear progress, we wanted to prevent them from getting the bomb, and ultimately we offered them greater US military protection so they'd abandon their programs," she wrote on X.
Kelanic summed up her concerns in one sentence: "This deal is a back door security guarantee to Saudi Arabia."
For now, supporters see the agreement as an opportunity to strengthen an important partnership while creating new business opportunities for American companies.
