Donald Trump, meanwhile, says he is considering new strikes on Iran to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program
The US is finalizing a multibillion-dollar nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia that could enable the kingdom to pursue nuclear weapons, the Arms Control Association (ACA) has warned, as US President Donald Trump threatens new strikes on Iran to force it to abandon uranium enrichment.
Last year, Washington and Riyadh finalized a long-sought civil nuclear cooperation framework, allowing US companies to bid on Saudi Arabia’s first reactors. The deal would pave the way for a US-Saudi ‘123 Agreement’, enabling transfers of US nuclear technology, equipment, and materials – potentially worth tens of billions of dollars. The Trump administration sent an initial framework report to Congress in November.
However, the proposed agreement lacks strict nonproliferation safeguards and could open the door to Saudi uranium enrichment, the ACA, which inspected the report, warned on Thursday. The report “raises concerns that the Trump administration has not carefully considered the proliferation risks” or the precedent it would set, Kelsey Davenport, the group’s head of nonproliferation policy, warned.
Davenport urged Congress to scrutinize the deal, noting that it would contradict longstanding US demands that any agreement bar Saudi enrichment and reprocessing – potential weapons pathways – and require intrusive monitoring by international watchdogs.
The administration is expected to submit the deal to Congress in late February, triggering a 90-day review period during which it would take effect unless both chambers block it.
Saudi Arabia says it does not seek nuclear weapons and wants reactors to diversify energy sources and preserve oil for exports. However, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously warned that Riyadh would pursue nuclear weapons if Iran does.
The Saudi deal contrasts with Trump’s stance on Iran; he has demanded that Tehran halt all enrichment and threatened new strikes if no agreement is reached. Trump has long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies. Iran has signaled limited flexibility on enrichment levels but rejects zero enrichment, citing energy needs. A new round of indirect US-Iran talks are expected next week.
The developments come as the New START treaty – the cornerstone of US-Russia strategic arms control – expired earlier this month, leaving the two nuclear superpowers without a formal arms control framework for the first time in decades. Moscow has sought talks on renewal, but Washington has given no formal response, though Vice President J.D. Vance said the sides are discussing an updated framework.