The Trump administration has tentatively agreed to permit Saudi Arabia to complement uranium with out requiring worldwide safeguards supposed to forestall nuclear weapons growth, in response to sources aware of the matter and documents reviewed by CNN.
The draft settlement, which outlines US assist for Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program, remains to be awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature, despite the fact that negotiations between the USA and Saudi Arabia have been accomplished in October 2025.
Two sources mentioned the continued battle with Iran has contributed to the delay. Based on Trump, the conflict was launched partly to cease Iran from utilizing enriched uranium to construct nuclear weapons. One supply additionally mentioned the administration could also be delaying the signing as a result of the settlement might face bipartisan opposition in Congress, which has the facility to dam it.
Specialists instructed CNN the deal might give Saudi Arabia a attainable path to growing nuclear weapons until strict safeguards are included. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has beforehand mentioned that if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would do the identical.
4 sources mentioned the settlement features a civil nuclear cooperation deal, often called a 123 settlement, together with a nuclear safeguards settlement. Nevertheless, neither doc has been despatched to Congress for evaluation, despite the fact that federal regulation requires the White Home to take action after the agreements are signed.
The White Home didn’t reply to questions concerning the agreements and as a substitute referred CNN to a press release issued by Power Secretary Chris Wright in October 2025 asserting the completion of negotiations.
On the time, Wright mentioned the USA and Saudi Arabia had reached an settlement on civilian nuclear cooperation. He added that each nations needed to strengthen their partnership, deliver American nuclear expertise to Saudi Arabia and stay dedicated to stopping nuclear weapons proliferation.
The Saudi Embassy in Washington didn’t reply to CNN’s request for remark.
Based on a supply aware of the matter, the Trump administration briefed some members of Congress earlier this 12 months on the details of the settlement. The supply mentioned it features a particular association that may enable Saudi Arabia to conduct restricted uranium enrichment or plutonium reprocessing inside the nation, which might be unprecedented in a US nuclear settlement.
Two sources instructed CNN the uranium enrichment provision consists of circumstances set by the USA, however the actual limits haven’t been made public.
The 123 settlement additionally doesn’t make the ultimate choice on whether or not Saudi Arabia will obtain delicate nuclear expertise or supplies. As an alternative, it establishes the authorized framework that permits US corporations or the federal government to switch nuclear expertise and supplies for Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program. Any future transfers would nonetheless require extra approval.
Uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing are the 2 primary strategies used to supply the fabric wanted for nuclear weapons. Most nations with civilian nuclear packages don’t enrich uranium domestically. As an alternative, they buy it from suppliers corresponding to the USA or Russia and obtain it beneath strict worldwide supervision.
Based on paperwork reviewed by CNN, the draft settlement additionally doesn’t require Saudi Arabia to undertake the Worldwide Atomic Power Company’s Extra Protocol, an enhanced safeguards settlement designed to enhance worldwide monitoring. As an alternative, the safeguards settlement could be solely between the USA and Saudi Arabia.
The IAEA is the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, accountable for making certain nations adjust to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It screens nuclear packages by means of inspections, expertise and different verification strategies.
In a waiver submitted to Congress in 2025, the administration mentioned the proposed US-Saudi safeguards settlement consists of extra protections for delicate nuclear actions, together with uranium enrichment, gas manufacturing and reprocessing. Though the report didn’t present particular particulars, it mentioned the IAEA would nonetheless have a task in monitoring Saudi Arabia’s nuclear program, even with out the Extra Protocol.
A supply aware of the matter mentioned the potential for uranium enrichment, plutonium reprocessing and the absence of enhanced IAEA oversight has raised considerations amongst many members of Congress. The proposed settlement differs from the 2009 US-UAE nuclear deal, beneath which the United Arab Emirates accepted enhanced IAEA monitoring and agreed to not enrich uranium or reprocess plutonium. Nuclear specialists think about that settlement the “gold normal” for civilian nuclear cooperation.
Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Management Affiliation mentioned the Extra Protocol was created as a result of normal safeguards alone weren’t sufficient to forestall nations from shifting in the direction of nuclear weapons growth.
Andrea Stricker, deputy director of nonproliferation on the Basis for Protection of Democracies, instructed CNN this isn’t the precise time to weaken worldwide nuclear requirements. She mentioned that with out the Extra Protocol, the IAEA would have fewer powers to examine undeclared websites. She added that after efforts to restrict Iran’s uranium enrichment, that is the precise time to strengthen, not weaken, current safeguards.
Dan Joyner, a nuclear regulation professor on the College of Alabama, mentioned he doesn’t imagine the absence of the Extra Protocol alone is sufficient to trigger concern. He mentioned the bilateral settlement between the USA and Saudi Arabia might fairly strengthen Saudi Arabia’s present IAEA safeguards, though its effectiveness will depend upon the ultimate phrases, which haven’t but been revealed.
Stricker additionally argued that permitting Saudi Arabia to complement uranium or reprocess plutonium by itself territory carries dangers, even when such amenities have been initially managed by the USA. She mentioned Saudi Arabia might ultimately take management of the amenities, forcing a future US president to determine how you can reply if the nation moved in the direction of growing nuclear weapons.
She additionally warned that Saudi scientists skilled to function uranium enrichment expertise might later use that data in secret amenities. Stricker pointed to Pakistan’s nuclear program, which was developed after scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan allegedly used centrifuge designs obtained whereas working for a European firm. Khan can also be believed to have shared nuclear expertise with Iran, Libya and North Korea, though Pakistan has maintained that he acted independently.
Joyner mentioned he believes the advantages of peaceable nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia outweigh the remaining dangers of nuclear proliferation. He mentioned the settlement might create invaluable enterprise alternatives for the US nuclear trade, supporting the Trump administration’s power objectives. He additionally famous that if the USA refuses Saudi Arabia’s requests, Russia or China might provide related cooperation with fewer safeguards.
Davenport, nevertheless, warned that permitting nations to barter custom-made nuclear safeguards might encourage Russia and China to create related agreements with different nations. She questioned how the USA would react if Russia started selling its personal bilateral safeguards as a substitute of requiring the stronger worldwide requirements established by the IAEA.
