Archiv: US-supported Saudi nuclear energy program / optional nuclear weapons program / Saudi monarchy reportedly considered acquiring or producing nukes since the 80s


18.09.2026 - 18:05 [ Internazionale.it ]

US Democrats look to stop Trump’s Saudi nuclear deal

Trump sent the proposed agreement to Congress in August, opening a 90-day window for lawmakers’ review and giving them an opportunity to try to pass a resolution of disapproval.

Democrats and nonproliferation advocates have criticized the nuclear pact for not barring ​Saudi Arabia from enriching uranium or reprocessing nuclear waste, two potential pathways to a nuclear weapon. The United Arab Emirates agreed to such measures, known as the gold standard, in its 2009 civil nuclear deal with Washington.

03.09.2026 - 09:32 [ Jeff Merkley, Senator for Oregon ]

Merkley’s Response to Trump’s Submission of U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal to Congress

(August 28, 2026)

Washington, D.C. – Following the Trump Administration’s submission to Congress on a proposed U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation agreement, referred to as a “123 agreement,” Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—co-chair of the bicameral Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group and a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—issued the following statement:

“With this deal, President Trump is not only triggering a nuclear arms race in the Middle East but also weakening America’s security and standing on the world stage.

“The President’s decision to provide Saudi Arabia with a nuclear deal that does not meet the bipartisan Gold Standard nor mandate the Additional Protocol, both necessary to ensure sensitive U.S. technology is not used to help build a nuclear bomb, is dangerous and a strategic mistake for our national security.

23.07.2026 - 18:41 [ CBS News ]

Netanyahu says Saudi Arabia joining Abraham Accords would be „historic leap forward for peace“

„The joint American and Israeli military action against the genocidal regime in Teheran and Israel‘s crushing of Iran‘s terror axis have created the possibility to expand the circle of peace,“ Netanyahu said in the statement from his office on Thursday.

23.07.2026 - 18:36 [ CBS News ]

Trump says Saudi nuclear deal is subject to the kingdom joining the Abraham Accords

„There will be no enrichment of material!,“ Mr. Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform, adding that the deal „will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords.“

The accords, first signed in 2020, have so far normalized economic and diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. Kazakhstan agreed to join in November.

23.07.2026 - 17:46 [ Ynetnews.com ]

Netanyahu‘s government to back Biden in bid to win Senate support for Saudi pact

(August 6, 2023)

In Israel, there‘s concern that the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, might delay and consider pushing the U.S. agreement until after the 2024 presidential elections.

Israel has sent signals to Saudi Arabia emphasizing the advantages of forging ahead under the current Democratic regime. If a future Republican government, possibly under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, were to take over, bridging bipartisan support for the deal might become an uphill battle.

(…)

Beyond a defense pact, the Saudis also have raised requests with the US for civilian nuclear capabilities, advanced weaponry, and beyond. Israeli agreement would be crucial for these components.

23.07.2026 - 17:25 [ Times of Israel ]

Report: Saudis want US alliance, nuclear program in exchange for deal with Israel

(May 23, 2023)

Amid reports that the US is mediating a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Channel 12 reports on apparent Saudi and US demands for the deal to go ahead.

The report says that Saudi Arabia is demanding the Biden administration unfreeze several major arms deals, a military alliance with the US and a full nuclear program.

23.07.2026 - 16:48 [ NPR.org ]

Trump says Saudi Arabia‘s nuclear deal hinges on the kingdom normalizing Israel ties

President Trump said on Thursday that a deal for U.S. companies to start a nuclear energy program in Saudi Arabia will require the Arab kingdom to normalize relations with Israel. That marked an unexpected turn — the day after the administration announced the signing of the agreement without mentioning that precondition.

23.07.2026 - 11:35 [ U.S. Department of Energy ]

United States and Saudi Arabia Reach Historic Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

The two agreements also advance U.S. and regional security by upholding high standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation and strengthening the United States‘ competitive edge in civil nuclear technology.

(…)

Under President Trump‘s leadership, America is restoring its competitive edge in the global civil nuclear marketplace. This agreement builds on President Trump‘s Executive Order, Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security, and specifically Section 8 on Promoting American Nuclear Exports, which supports an expansion of international partners for U.S. civil nuclear cooperation under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.

23.07.2026 - 11:20 [ theGuardian.com ]

Saudis consider nuclear bomb

(September 18, 2003)

UN officials said there have been rumours going back 20 years that the Saudis wanted to pay Pakistan to do the research and development on nuclear weapons.

In 1988, Saudi bought from China intermediate-range missiles capable of reaching any part of the Middle East with a nuclear warhead.

Four years ago, Saudi Arabia sent a defence team to Pakistan to tour its secret nuclear facilities and to be briefed by Abdul Qader Khan, the father of Pakistan‘s nuclear bomb.

23.07.2026 - 11:15 [ USNews.com ]

Trump to Seek Congress Approval for Saudi Arabia Nuclear Energy Pact That Lacks Safeguards, Sources Say

The agreement does not include the „Gold Standard“ that would block the kingdom from enriching uranium and reprocessing spent nuclear ​fuel, both of which are potential pathways to nuclear weapons, said the sources familiar with the agreement.

The agreement also does not ⁠include ⁠the „Additional Protocol“ which grants the U.N.‘s ⁠International Atomic Energy Agency ​broad and more intrusive oversight of a country‘s nuclear activities, such as the power to carry out snap inspections at ​undeclared locations, said the sources, who ⁠spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive issues.

15.09.2025 - 19:28 [ Saudi Gazette ]

Saudi Arabia is determined to advance peaceful use of atomic energy to serve national development goals

The minister further noted that Saudi Arabia has completed the essential administrative preparations to rescind the Small Quantities Protocol in cooperation with the IAEA and has fully implemented the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, as of early 2025.

15.06.2025 - 19:30 [ Georgetown Security Studies Review ]

The Nuclear Kingdom: Assessing Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Behavior

(December 17, 2024)

Saudi Arabia has the characteristics of a nuclear hedger: a state that lays the groundwork for the active pursuit of nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia has stated the conditions under which it would pursue nuclear weapons. It already possesses dual-capable delivery systems and seeks reactors to produce weapons-grade uranium. Its inability to enrich nuclear material alone prevents Saudi Arabia from gaining nuclear latency that it can rapidly convert into nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia is best categorized as an insurance hedger that seeks to reduce the time needed to build a bomb. Regardless of the categorization of Saudi Arabia’s hedging, its interest in nuclear weapons has entered a new, acute stage.

15.06.2025 - 19:13 [ Arms Control Association ]

Saudi Push for Enrichment Raises Concerns

(November 2023)

The Wall Street Journal reported in September that Netanyahu directed Israeli officials to work with the United States on an agreement that includes Saudi enrichment, but such a deal still would face criticism in Israel. (…)

Given Saudi Arabia’s public threats to develop nuclear weapons, it may be challenging for the Biden administration to gain support for any agreement that allows uranium enrichment, particularly if the kingdom does not have an additional protocol to its comprehensive safeguards agreement in place. Additional protocols to safeguards agreements were developed in the 1990s when it became clear from the cases of Iraq and North Korea that a comprehensive safeguard agreement alone was insufficient to prevent proliferation. An additional protocol gives the IAEA more access and information about a country’s nuclear activities.

15.06.2025 - 18:50 [ Washington Institute for Near East Policy ]

What a U.S.-Saudi Nuclear “Pathway” Might Mean for the Iran Talks

(April 16, 2025)

Apparently concerned about the potential risk of Saudi nuclear proliferation, Wright also stated, “There will definitely be a 123 agreement.” This was a reference to the eponymous section of the 1954 U.S. Atomic Energy Act, which mandates that formal proliferation safeguards must be put in place before American agencies or companies can help a country start up a civil nuclear industry. The “gold standard” version of a 123 agreement explicitly prohibits enriching or reprocessing nuclear material—a limitation that only the United Arab Emirates and Taiwan have accepted in the past. Countries must instead agree to import reactor fuel rather than producing it themselves, and allow international inspections as well.

18.05.2025 - 20:20 [ Tehran Times ]

Exclusive: Any nuclear consortium must involve enrichment to happen in Iran

(May 17, 2025)

Reports claiming that the U.S. has asked Iran to cease uranium enrichment for a couple of years are also false, a second source said. „From the outset, the negotiating team tasked with discussing a potential new agreement with the United States has made it clear that a cessation of uranium enrichment is not an option, even temporarily.“ Iran also maintained this position throughout the diplomatic process that led to the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015, the source added.

13.05.2025 - 14:18 [ Saudi Gazette ]

Trump begins second term foreign tour in Riyadh, welcomed by Crown Prince

US President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for his first official overseas trip of his second term.

He was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

13.05.2025 - 14:15 [ CNN ]

Trump meets with Saudi crown prince as Middle East trip gets under way

• Middle East visit: President Donald Trump is on the first major international trip of his second term as he works to shore up relations with a trio of key allies and prove his might as a dealmaker on the world stage.

• On the agenda: Trump received a warm welcome from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. Later today, he is expected to speak at a US-Saudi investment forum, where Elon Musk is also listed as a speaker. Trump will travel to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week.

• Weapons sale: The US announced a weapons sale of over $1.4 billion to the UAE ahead of Trump’s trip. A slew of deals between the two countries is expected to be announced during his visit, including investments in AI, chips, manufacturing and energy. Trump may also announce a major arms sale to Saudi Arabia.

12.05.2025 - 18:19 [ Washington Post ]

Trump repeatedly bypasses Netanyahu, stoking dismay among Israelis

“It’s disconcerting,” said Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to Washington.

“It’s total panic,” said Shalom Lipner, a former Netanyahu aide and a fellow at the Atlantic Council, describing the mood in Jerusalem.

12.05.2025 - 18:16 [ CNN ]

Trump’s Middle East trip leaves Netanyahu watching from the sidelines again

The White House has called it a “historic return to the Middle East” and promised “a shared vision of stability, opportunity and mutual respect.” Israel is once again not on the itinerary. And after Trump blindsided Israel several times already – announcing talks with Iran, a deal with Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and direct talks with Hamas – Israeli officials are concerned another surprise could be coming.

08.05.2025 - 14:58 [ Al Jazeera ]

US official says Washington may advance Saudi deal without Israel: Reports

According to The Jerusalem Post, the US official told attendees Israel could face “a much heavier price” if it continues to oppose a ceasefire deal.

“President Trump is determined to move forward with a significant deal with Saudi Arabia, even without Israeli involvement,” the official reportedly said. “The ceasefire agreement with the Houthis is just a prelude. If Israel doesn’t come to its senses, even the ‘Deal of the Millennium’ will happen without it.”

The report said families of the captives hoped the meeting would result in greater international pressure on Israeli leaders to act.

08.05.2025 - 14:50 [ Reuters ]

Trump says he is not planning to visit Israel as part of upcoming trip

(May 6, 2025)

While the White House has never confirmed that Israel would be part of his upcoming trip, there have been widespread rumors in diplomatic and national security circles that he would extend his trip to visit the U.S. ally.

04.05.2025 - 19:42 [ Axios ]

Scoop: Hegseth plans Israel visit ahead of Trump‘s Middle East trip

Driving the news: Hegseth will arrive in Israel on May 12 and meet with his counterpart Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

– Hegseth will then travel to Saudi Arabia to join Trump‘s trip to the Gulf.
– Trump will also visit Qatar and the UAE but is not currently expected to visit Israel.

25.02.2025 - 22:58 [ NewArab.com ]

If Arabs want Trump to ditch his Gaza plan, they must make him an offer he can‘t refuse

The upcoming Arab League summit, scheduled to convene in the Egyptian capital Cairo on March 4, represents a moment of truth for Arab governments, individually and collectively.

For 500 days they have stood by, inert, as Israel conducted a genocidal campaign against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip with the unconditional support of Israel’s – and their – patron the United States.

The not entirely unpredictable culmination of this slaughter, and of the comatose Arab response, is that Washington now wants to seal the Palestinians’ fate not in Palestine, but in the Arab world and at Arab expense. It wants to literally export the Palestine question to the Arab world and thereby make it an Arab problem.

12.02.2025 - 12:45 [ CBS News ]

Trump pushes Gaza plan in meeting with Jordan‘s King Abdullah II

„I don‘t have to threaten that. I do believe we‘re above that,“ Mr. Trump said. That contradicted his previous suggestion that holding back aid was a possibility.

12.02.2025 - 12:29 [ Le Monde ]

Gaza: Trump forces King Abdullah II of Jordan into diplomatic contortions

There was something painful about watching Jordanian King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday, February 11, his eyes nervously twitching as he tried not to upset his host, Donald Trump. Journalists asked him, several times over: Was his country, Jordan, ready to receive a part of the Gazan population on its soil, as the American president wants to remove them from Palestinian territory?

The king refused to answer. In his impeccable English, he cautiously took refuge behind Egypt‘s broader international stature.

12.02.2025 - 12:14 [ Middle East Eye ]

Jordan‘s King Abdullah avoids contradicting Trump‘s claim to authority over Gaza

“I think we have to keep in mind that there is a plan from Egypt and the Arab countries,” Abdullah said when prompted to speak by the president.

“We‘re being invited by [Crown Prince] Mohammed bin Salman to discussions in Riyadh..“

13.01.2025 - 12:30 [ Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists ]

What a second Trump administration may mean for the Saudi nuclear program

(January 6, 2ß25)

Riyadh has been very clear on the kind of nuclear partnership it expects, and it is no secret that its favored option is cooperation with South Korea, similar under a 123 agreement (a nuclear cooperation document that establishes the legal basis and prerequisites for nuclear deals with the United States) allowing it to enrich uranium domestically. The problem, however, lies in the last bit of the sentence. The United States currently insists on an agreement that requires the Saudis forgo enrichment and reprocessing capabilities—two pathways to building a bomb. The reelection of Trump might be the Saudis’ chance to tip the balance in their favor.

28.12.2024 - 20:02 [ Georgetown Security Studies Review ]

The Nuclear Kingdom: Assessing Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Behavior

(December 17, 2024)

Saudi Arabia has the characteristics of a nuclear hedger: a state that lays the groundwork for the active pursuit of nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia has stated the conditions under which it would pursue nuclear weapons. It already possesses dual-capable delivery systems and seeks reactors to produce weapons-grade uranium. Its inability to enrich nuclear material alone prevents Saudi Arabia from gaining nuclear latency that it can rapidly convert into nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia is best categorized as an insurance hedger that seeks to reduce the time needed to build a bomb. Regardless of the categorization of Saudi Arabia’s hedging, its interest in nuclear weapons has entered a new, acute stage.