Trump's Deal with Saudi Arabia Ignites Fears of Uranium Enrichment Without Safeguards
The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a historic nuclear energy deal that has raised concerns about uranium enrichment on Saudi Arabian soil. The agreement, reached after months of negotiations, does not explicitly mention Israel, but President Donald Trump has conditioned it on Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords.
Trump's move has sparked speculation that Riyadh's enrichment capabilities may ultimately be decided by its willingness to establish a diplomatic relationship with Israel. However, officials say the nuclear cooperation agreement stipulates that the future of Saudi enrichment will be decided only after a two-year study to explore its commercial viability compared to importing nuclear fuel.
Nuclear proliferation experts have expressed concern about the deal's lack of specific international safeguards and the omission of the Additional Protocol, which would grant the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expanded inspection and monitoring authority. The IAEA must approve the safeguards agreement to ensure it is in compliance with the Nonproliferation Treaty.
Administration officials believe the contours of the agreement could give them more leverage over Riyadh, particularly as the two-year study will wrap shortly before Trump's term expires, potentially allowing for a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, experts caution that the prospect of covert weaponization by Saudi Arabia is a major concern.