US-Saudi nuclear deal sparks Israeli concerns over regional arms race

The United States and Saudi Arabia have reached a landmark civil nuclear agreement allowing Riyadh to build nuclear reactors using American technology and enrich uranium, the U.S. Energy Department announced Wednesday.

The deal, which still requires congressional approval, would support Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program but has raised concerns among nonproliferation groups and Israeli officials who warn it could provide a pathway toward developing nuclear weapons.

Unlike a previous U.S. proposal under the Biden administration, the agreement does not include an additional protocol allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to carry out snap inspections. It also permits Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium and reprocess nuclear waste, both considered potential routes to weapons development.

The agreement was signed by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. It includes plans for the construction of AP1000 reactors in a deal worth tens of billions of dollars.

The agreement has also sparked criticism in Israel, where officials fear it could trigger a regional nuclear arms race. Former Israeli officials Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman warned that uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia could threaten Israel’s security, while former defense chief Benny Gantz said any civilian nuclear program should be linked to broader regional security arrangements, Reuters reported.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said the kingdom does not seek nuclear weapons but has warned it would pursue them if Iran did. The deal now moves to Congress, where lawmakers have 90 session days to object before it can take effect.