U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Pact Sparks Middle East Arms Race Concerns

Key Points

Table of Contents

Washington and Riyadh finalized a civil nuclear cooperation pact granting Saudi Arabia permission to enrich uranium and construct reactors with U.S. technology
Unlike previous proposals, the agreement doesn’t mandate Saudi acceptance of enhanced IAEA inspection protocols
Former and current Israeli security figures express concern the pact may initiate regional nuclear proliferation
Congressional review period of 90 session days begins before the accord becomes operational
The multi-billion dollar agreement stands to benefit Westinghouse, jointly controlled by Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management

Washington and Riyadh have finalized a civil nuclear cooperation accord granting the Saudi kingdom authority to enrich uranium and develop nuclear power facilities utilizing American technological expertise. The framework, formally designated as a 123 Agreement, received signatures from U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

🚨🇸🇦 🇺🇸BREAKING: It's signed. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have inked a nuclear cooperation pact opening the door to enrichment on Saudi soil.

-Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed a "123 agreement" plus an accompanying… pic.twitter.com/NzH7jNVPKF

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 22, 2026

Congressional approval represents the next hurdle for the accord. Lawmakers possess 90 legislative session days to register opposition; absent such action, the agreement becomes effective. Any presidential veto would require a two-thirds congressional supermajority to overturn.

Negotiations regarding civil nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia have persisted across multiple years, spanning both Trump and Biden presidencies. Earlier attempts encountered obstacles, including objections from nuclear nonproliferation organizations highlighting potential security implications.

Enhanced Inspection Protocols Absent

Diverging from proposals advanced during the Biden administration, this framework doesn’t mandate Saudi ratification of the Additional Protocol. This particular protocol empowers the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct unannounced inspections at facilities not formally declared.

Saudi Arabia presently adheres to conventional IAEA oversight mechanisms, which extend only to officially registered installations. The finalized accord authorizes the kingdom to enrich uranium and reprocess nuclear materials, both processes potentially applicable to weapons development.

In contrast, the United Arab Emirates renounced enrichment and reprocessing capabilities when finalizing a comparable arrangement with Washington in 2009.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated openly that Saudi Arabia would develop nuclear weapons should regional adversary Iran acquire them.

Israeli Leadership Sounds Warning

The agreement has generated intense criticism from Israeli political circles. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett characterized it as “a serious strategic failure that endangers our security,” cautioning that permitting uranium enrichment on Saudi territory might ignite regional nuclear competition.

Former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman predicted the civilian initiative would “end in nuclear weapons” and catalyze proliferation throughout the Middle East. He urged Israel to actively encourage congressional rejection of the pact.

Former defence chief Benny Gantz asserted no security professional would endorse introducing civilian nuclear capabilities into Saudi Arabia unless integrated within comprehensive regional alliance-building initiatives.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with his defence and foreign ministers, have refrained from public statements on the matter.

Economic Implications

The agreement spans approximately three decades and encompasses construction of AP1000 reactor technology. Valued at tens of billions of dollars, the contract represents a substantial commercial victory for Westinghouse, co-owned by Canadian uranium producer Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management.

Industry analysts indicate the agreement necessitates comprehensive feasibility assessments. Considering typical nuclear construction timelines, actual infrastructure development may require numerous years.

Proponents framed the accord partially as a strategic mechanism to prevent Saudi Arabia from seeking nuclear partnerships with China or Russia, nations employing alternative nonproliferation frameworks.

Several U.S. legislators across party lines have voiced reservations. Senator Edward Markey contended the deal would “make us all less safe,” while Senator Jim Risch suggested the agreement serves mutual interests.

Nuclear nonproliferation specialists have pressed Congress to either reject the accord or implement modifications preventing additional nuclear proliferation across the Middle East region.

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