Saudi Arabia May Receive US Terms for Developing Nuclear Weapons

The Donald Trump administration previously agreed to allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium without international safeguards designed to prevent the development of nuclear weapons.

CNN reported this, citing informed sources and government documents.

The draft nuclear agreement, which provides for US support for Riyadh’s civilian nuclear program, is awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature, although negotiations between Washington and Saudi Arabia ended in October 2025.

Two sources familiar with the negotiations said the ongoing war with Iran — which, according to Trump, was launched in part to prevent Tehran from using enriched uranium to develop nuclear weapons — was one of the reasons for the delay in signing the document.

Some members of Congress also believe the Trump administration is deliberately delaying the signing of the agreement because it could face a bipartisan resolution of disapproval that would block its entry into force.

Experts interviewed by CNN believe that, in the absence of strict safeguards, the agreement could potentially pave the way for Saudi Arabia to develop its own nuclear weapons.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously stated that the kingdom would develop its own nuclear arsenal if Iran, its main regional rival, obtains a nuclear bomb.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration briefed selected members of Congress on the main provisions of future nuclear agreements with Saudi Arabia. According to one source, it was already expected that the documents would contain a special provision allowing the kingdom to carry out some uranium enrichment and/or plutonium reprocessing on its own territory.

Two sources told CNN that the uranium-enrichment provisions include requirements put forward by the United States, but the specific restrictions that may be imposed remain unknown.

Uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing are the two main ways to obtain the materials needed to develop nuclear weapons. Most countries whose civilian nuclear reactors run on enriched uranium do not produce it themselves.

However, according to a waiver the administration filed with Congress last year and a May State Department letter to lawmakers seen by CNN, the draft agreement does not require Saudi Arabia to conclude a standard enhanced nuclear safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), known as an “Additional Protocol.” Instead, the safeguards agreement would be concluded solely between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

In addition, Saudi technicians and scientists working on enrichment centrifuge technology could potentially use the knowledge they gain at other, more secretive facilities.