In a social media post, the Republican president stated that the deal does not permit uranium enrichment. Nonproliferation experts have expressed concerns that the agreement lacks sufficient measures to prevent uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels.
Trump’s post indicated that the agreement “will be approved, but is entirely dependent on Saudi Arabia joining the highly regarded and successful Abraham Accords.”
He further mentioned that the US “is not opposed to Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities.” The Saudis have made it clear that normalizing relations with Israel would first require a defined path toward Palestinian statehood. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the prospect of Palestinian statehood as unfeasible for Israel’s security.
The Saudi Embassy in Washington declined to comment on Trump’s claim that the deal is contingent upon the kingdom joining the accords.
Netanyahu’s office expressed support for the idea of Saudi Arabia joining the accords as a “historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East.” The statement did not address the agreement aimed at enhancing Saudi Arabia’s civil nuclear program.
Trump has aimed to expand upon the 2020 agreements that increased diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority nations. Saudi Arabia, being the most influential Arab power in the Middle East, is viewed by Trump as key to achieving long-standing stability in the region.
The newly announced nuclear deal is anticipated to last 30 years and will involve American companies in the program’s development. It could potentially lead to the establishment of a uranium-enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia after a joint US-Saudi study, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The agreement is set to be reviewed by Congress, as indicated by both the US and Saudi governments.
This agreement does not include the International Atomic Energy Agency’s “additional protocol,” which would enable enhanced monitoring, inspections, and verification, according to another source informed about the decision.
The Energy Ministry of the oil-rich kingdom stated on Wednesday that the agreement enhances “efforts to diversify energy sources, advance cutting-edge technologies, and broaden opportunities for cooperation and investment that benefit both friendly nations.” Although enrichment does not automatically lead to a nuclear weapon — as a nation also requires mastering additional steps, including the use of synchronized high explosives — it does potentially pave the way for weaponization, raising concerns about Iran’s program.
Administration claims deal benefits US firms
Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed reporters on Thursday in Manila that the agreement would ensure Saudi Arabia collaborates with American companies instead of “competitors” for its civil nuclear program. China, South Korea, France, and Russia are among the alternative partners that Riyadh could consider.
“We’re not the only option, but we’re the best option,” Rubio stated. “We aim to ensure that it’s our companies being selected.” Trump has emphasized his efforts to extend the Abraham Accords — which also formalized commercial relations between Israel and multiple Arab and Muslim-majority countries — as integral to his vision for long-term stability in the Middle East. However, the aftermath of Israel’s conflict in Gaza and the ongoing US-Israel confrontation with Iran has complicated Trump’s objective to expand the accords.
The agreements have faced public disapproval in certain signatory nations like Morocco and Bahrain, leading to significant protests.
Despite this, the Trump administration remains hopeful that an accord with Saudi Arabia to join the agreements can be finalized by the end of Trump’s second term.
Deal faces initial scrutiny from Congress, Israel, and nuclear experts
The White House and Saudi Arabia have not released the text of the nuclear cooperation agreement, termed a “123 agreement,” along with what the Trump administration referred to as a “bilateral safeguards agreement,” signed on Wednesday by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman.
However, it is already undergoing examination from Congress, certain Israeli officials, and nuclear experts.
As details of the agreement surfaced on Wednesday, dissent on Capitol Hill and beyond began to grow, with both Republicans and Democrats questioning the rationale behind the agreement. Additionally, conservative commentators who have generally supported Trump’s policies have queried why the president would offer Saudi Arabia such a deal without receiving anything in return.
On Thursday, Trump unexpectedly stated that the deal is entirely reliant on the Saudis joining the accords.
The United Arab Emirates, a neighbor to Saudi Arabia, signed a 123 agreement with the US to construct its Barakah nuclear power plant with South Korean help. However, the UAE accomplished this without seeking enrichment, which nonproliferation experts have identified as the “gold standard” for nations pursuing nuclear energy.
Rubio, in his capacity as a Republican senator from Florida, supported a bipartisan 2018 proposal that mandated Congressional approval for any 123 agreement with Saudi Arabia. The bill was reintroduced by a group of Democratic lawmakers in March but has yet to be enacted into law.
Representative Brad Sherman, a Democrat from California, co-sponsored the 2018 bill with Rubio that would have required Congressional approval for a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia. He expressed that he “misses Sen. Rubio,” suggesting that Secretary Rubio appears to have adopted a different stance.
“I hope that Sen. Rubio will return to us and insist that Congress approve any agreement,” Sherman stated during a House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on Wednesday.
