Adedokun Waliyu 
The United States and Saudi Arabia have announced a landmark agreement to establish a civilian nuclear programme in the kingdom, a move expected to deepen strategic ties between the two countries while generating billions of dollars in business for American companies.
The agreement comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict involving Iran, whose nuclear programme remains a major source of international concern and a sticking point in stalled diplomatic negotiations.
Under the agreement, Saudi Arabia will gain access to American civilian nuclear technology. While the full details of the deal have not yet been released, reports indicate that it could allow US companies to build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia.
The possibility of uranium enrichment has sparked concern among critics, who fear it could increase the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation and trigger an arms race in the Middle East.
In recent years, Washington had linked any nuclear cooperation and defence agreement with Saudi Arabia to the kingdom’s normalisation of diplomatic relations with Israel. However, the newly announced deal proceeds without such a condition.
Security analysts say the agreement also sends a strong message to Iran as negotiations over its nuclear programme remain stalled.
Allison Minor, Director of the Project for Middle East Integration at the Atlantic Council, said keeping the option of uranium enrichment open in Saudi Arabia sends a powerful signal to Tehran while strengthening ties with a key American ally.
The agreement will now be submitted to the US Congress for review. However, it is widely expected to receive approval because Republicans currently control Congress.
The proposal has drawn criticism from some American lawmakers and Israeli officials, who argue that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium could eventually provide the kingdom with the capability to develop nuclear weapons.
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders criticised the move, arguing that the United States cannot oppose Iran’s uranium enrichment programme while supporting similar capabilities for Saudi Arabia.
Responding to the concerns, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said any agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation would include strict safeguards to ensure the technology is used solely for peaceful purposes and cannot be converted into a weapons programme.
Saudi Arabia has consistently maintained that its objective is to develop nuclear energy for peaceful civilian use. Last year, the kingdom also signed a mutual defence pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan.
The United States already has civilian nuclear cooperation agreements with more than 50 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, although the UAE does not enrich its own uranium.
Experts remain divided over the agreement. While some warn that permitting uranium enrichment could weaken global non-proliferation standards, others argue the deal strengthens US influence in the region and prevents Saudi Arabia from turning to countries such as Russia or China for nuclear technology.
Supporters also insist the agreement incorporates high standards of nuclear safety, transparency and international oversight to minimise proliferation risks.
