Trump Administration Reaches Nuclear Agreement With Saudi Arabia

The Trump administration has reached a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to establish a civilian nuclear program. The accord outlines a roadmap that could eventually allow uranium enrichment within Saudi Arabia up to nearly 20 percent, a level critics argue is close to weapons-grade material.

While President Donald Trump publicly stated there would be no enrichment, a July memo indicates his endorsement of a potential pathway to the practice. To mitigate proliferation risks, U.S. officials stated that American companies would construct and operate any enrichment facilities, which would exclude Russian and Chinese competitors. The agreement includes a two-year Joint Enrichment and Conversion Study to assess security and economic viability.

The International Atomic Energy Agency described the verification arrangements as adequate. However, arms control advocates argue the deal lacks the stringent Additional Protocol required of other nations. The accord will take effect after 90 legislative days unless blocked by a two-thirds majority in Congress.