U.S. and Saudi Arabia Sign Nuclear Cooperation and Safeguards Agreements

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement and an accompanying bilateral safeguards agreement on Wednesday, the Department of Energy said. The accords establish a legal framework for a multi-decade partnership that could allow Saudi Arabia to build a uranium enrichment facility for civilian reactors, with U.S. firms such as Westinghouse expected to take part.

The agreements will be forwarded to Congress for review, where lawmakers are expected to examine the safeguards intended to prevent the technology from being used for weapons development. Critics have warned that the timing of the deal raises concerns given ongoing tensions with Iran over nuclear activities.

Wright said the agreements reflect a shared commitment to commercial relations and to maintaining nuclear safety and non-proliferation standards, adding that they rely on U.S. technology and expertise. The deal is slated to run for 30 years, and a joint U.S.–Saudi study will determine the feasibility of constructing an enrichment plant in the kingdom.