Trump to approve nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia despite regional proliferation risks
US President Donald Trump has reportedly approved a 30-year civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, granting Riyadh access to American reactor technology despite fears that this could trigger a nuclear arms race with Iran, two US news outlets reported on Wednesday.
Trump's pending signature on the civil nuclear pact and security agreement will allow the proposal to advance to Congress for formal review, according to both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
If approved, the deal would pave the way for tens of billions of dollars in profits for American companies tasked with building Saudi Arabia’s nuclear infrastructure, while reviving a long-standing debate among US lawmakers over nuclear proliferation risks in the Middle East.
Expected to be signed this week, the accord will be finalised by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, who first met to discuss the deal in April 2025, the Journal reported.
While Trump officials argue US involvement will ensure the kingdom's civilian program will not be diverted toward weapons production, the deal fails to resolve broader nonproliferation concerns.
: Trump to approve nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia despite regional proliferation risks
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump at the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, 19 November 2025 (Brendan Smialowski/AFP)
