U.S. Administration Transmits Saudi Nuclear Cooperation Agreement to Congress for Evaluation

Officials familiar with the matter confirm the Trump administration has forwarded a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review. The deal, disclosed by the White House last month, aims to strengthen U.S.-Saudi strategic ties amid ongoing regional tensions involving Iran.

The proposed 30-year accord would enable U.S. firms to lead the development of Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear infrastructure while limiting foreign competition. It also includes provisions that could permit the kingdom to enrich uranium for reactor fuel—technology closely tied to nuclear weapons development and a sensitive point in the broader Middle East security landscape.

Submitting the agreement initiates a mandatory review process under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act, which governs so-called “123 agreements.” These arrangements do not require Senate ratification as treaties do, but instead undergo scrutiny by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee over a 90-day period of continuous congressional session. If Congress does not vote to block the deal within that timeframe, it becomes effective automatically.

Concerns regarding potential uranium enrichment capabilities have prompted criticism from several Democratic lawmakers, reigniting debates over regional nuclear proliferation risks. Senators Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, alongside Representatives John Garamendi of California and Donald S. Beyer Jr. of Virginia, warned that the agreement could spark an arms race in the Middle East. They argued that any nuclear cooperation should mandate Saudi Arabia refrain from producing weapons-grade material and adhere to rigorous oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“Congress must reject it,” the group stated in a joint statement earlier this year, highlighting what they describe as conflicting U.S. policies toward nuclear programs in Iran and Saudi Arabia. They emphasized that maintaining contradictory stances undermines global credibility in nonproliferation efforts.

The agreement was signed by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman during bilateral energy consultations last month. Alongside the main cooperation pact, both nations signed a separate accord outlining additional nuclear safety and transparency measures.

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