The governments of Saudi Arabia and the United States have signed a bilateral cooperation agreement on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, according to an official statement released by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The accord follows previous announcements regarding the completion of negotiations during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's visit to the United States in November, and it establishes a legal framework for a decades-long partnership valued at billions of dollars, according to a separate statement issued by the U.S.
U.S. Technicians and Enrichment Facilities
The agreement permits Saudi Arabia to build uranium enrichment facilities using U.S. technology, marking the first time Washington has assisted another nation in developing domestic enrichment capabilities on its soil, according to the U.S. Reuters reported that the pact allows the Kingdom to construct nuclear reactors with American technology alongside enrichment infrastructure, representing a departure from previous U.S. nuclear cooperation agreements. Ahead of the formal signing, U.S. press reports indicated that President Donald Trump approved the civilian nuclear agreement, known as a "123 agreement," spanning 30 years and worth tens of billions of dollars.
Legislative Review by the U.S. Congress
Under the Atomic Energy Act, lawmakers have a 90-day window to examine the accord and can attempt to block it through a joint resolution of disapproval. The agreement does not require positive congressional approval to take effect, meaning it becomes law automatically after the review period expires unless both the House of Representatives and the Senate pass resolutions of rejection. According to reporting by Reuters, provisions regarding uranium enrichment could draw scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about regional nuclear competition.
Did you know?
The agreement does not include the “Additional Protocol” of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which would have granted inspectors broader authority to conduct unannounced checks on sites suspected of diverting nuclear materials for military purposes, according to Reuters reporting.
International Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Standards
The U.S. U.S. Saudi Arabia is a member of the IAEA, which promotes peaceful nuclear uses and verifies that member states do not maintain clandestine weapons programs. In March 2026, Democratic Representatives Edward Markey and Jeff Merkley introduced a bill to restrict Saudi access to sensitive nuclear technology following Reuters reports that the administration intended to ease non-proliferation safeguards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who signed the nuclear cooperation agreement?
The agreement was signed by Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and U.S.
Does the agreement allow uranium enrichment?
Yes. According to the U.S.
What role does the U.S. Congress play in the review process?
Under the Atomic Energy Act, Congress has a 90-day review period to evaluate the 123 agreement and can vote to disapprove it, though the pact takes effect automatically if no joint resolution of rejection is passed.
Does the agreement include IAEA Additional Protocol inspections?
According to Reuters, the agreement does not include the International Atomic Energy Agency’s “Additional Protocol,” which provides inspectors with expanded powers for unannounced site checks.
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