The Trump administration has resumed discussions with Saudi officials regarding a potential agreement that would grant Saudi Arabia access to U.S. nuclear technology, including the possibility of uranium enrichment, according to Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
Wright stated that the deal, which the Biden administration had previously pursued as part of a broader initiative to establish diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, would enable the kingdom to develop a “commercial nuclear power industry.” He expressed optimism about “meaningful developments” occurring within the year.
While details of the agreement have yet to be finalized, Wright noted that there appears to be a viable pathway forward, emphasizing the importance of controlling sensitive technology. He acknowledged that solutions involving domestic enrichment in Saudi Arabia could be explored.
When questioned about the connection between these talks and Saudi Arabia's potential normalization of relations with Israel, Wright remarked that “relationships are always package deals,” highlighting various areas of cooperation that could exist between the two nations.
Saudi Arabia has long sought U.S. assistance in developing a nuclear energy program as part of its strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil. However, negotiations have faced setbacks, primarily due to Saudi Arabia's reluctance to accept conditions aimed at preventing the development of nuclear weapons.
A significant point of contention has been whether Saudi Arabia would import uranium or pursue domestic enrichment, which could lead to the capability of producing nuclear weapons-grade material.
The initiative gained traction during the Biden administration when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman proposed establishing diplomatic ties with Israel in exchange for U.S. cooperation on nuclear reactor construction and other concessions, including security assurances. However, these discussions stalled following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas, which intensified regional tensions.
In light of frustrations with U.S. negotiations, Saudi officials have explored obtaining nuclear technology from alternative sources, including China and Russia.
Wright emphasized the importance of the United States as a partner in this endeavor, noting that the previous lack of productive relations may have raised doubts about U.S. involvement.
The proposed deal faces several challenges, as U.S. requirements for nuclear cooperation include strict nonproliferation standards, which may prohibit uranium enrichment and fuel reprocessing within Saudi territory. Additionally, any agreement would require Congressional review, where there has been bipartisan opposition in the past.
Critics of the deal argue that it poses significant risks, particularly given Crown Prince Mohammed's statements regarding the potential development of nuclear weapons if Iran, a regional adversary, were to pursue a similar path.
Simultaneously, the Trump administration has reinitiated nuclear negotiations with Iran to address its expanding nuclear capabilities, following the U.S. withdrawal from a multilateral agreement in 2018.
Prince Mohammed has advocated for a deal that would permit domestic uranium enrichment, citing the kingdom's potential uranium resources, although current exploration efforts have yielded economically unviable deposits, according to reports from the Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Proponents of the agreement argue that without U.S. involvement, Saudi Arabia may seek nuclear technology from countries with less stringent safeguards.
During discussions in Riyadh, U.S. officials also engaged with Saudi counterparts on topics related to energy, mining, critical minerals, and climate change, with plans for a broader agreement on energy cooperation to be finalized in the future.
Wright clarified that discussions regarding oil prices and production levels were not part of the agenda during these meetings.
President Trump has previously indicated a desire for lower energy prices and has urged Saudi Arabia and OPEC to reduce oil costs. Following the imposition and subsequent reduction of tariffs on U.S. trading partners, oil prices have decreased by approximately $10 per barrel.
However, Saudi Arabia requires higher oil prices to support Crown Prince Mohammed's ambitious spending plans, which include a projected $600 billion increase in trade and investments in the U.S., equivalent to two-thirds of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.
Wright, who previously worked in the fracking industry, downplayed any perceived differences in oil policy between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, stating that there is a shared understanding of the need to increase energy production globally.