Trump sends Saudi nuclear deal to Congress for review

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday transmitted a landmark 30-year nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review, retaining his insistence that Riyadh normalize relations with Israel as a precondition for broader diplomatic ties, according to The Wall Street Journal.

30-year nuclear accord

The Trump administration first announced the nuclear accord last month, framing it as a mechanism to ensure American firms dominate the development of Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear infrastructure while systematically excluding foreign competitors from lucrative contracts, the newspaper reported. The arrangement positions US companies at the center of the kingdom's nuclear program, effectively blocking rivals from accessing much of the construction and technical work, sources told the Journal.

Citing an administration official, the newspaper said Trump has maintained his demand that Saudi Arabia establish formal diplomatic relations with Israel, a condition that has complicated negotiations toward a comprehensive bilateral pact. The White House views normalization as a critical component of any broader agreement with Riyadh, linking the nuclear cooperation to diplomatic breakthroughs in the region.

Enrichment concerns

The proposed agreement has generated significant controversy on Capitol Hill because it could potentially permit Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its own soil, a capability that nonproliferation advocates warn could accelerate the spread of nuclear weapons technology throughout the Middle East. Lawmakers from both parties have raised alarms about the risks of allowing such sensitive technology transfers to the kingdom, according to the report.

Critics argue that indigenous enrichment capacity would place Saudi Arabia on a threshold nuclear status, potentially triggering a regional arms race among neighboring states. The kingdom has previously resisted constraints on its nuclear program, insisting on the right to control the full fuel cycle for its planned civilian reactors.

Congressional review hurdles

The administration formally transmitted the agreement to congressional committees on Monday, triggering a mandatory review period during which lawmakers may scrutinize the terms and attempt to block implementation. Under the Atomic Energy Act, legislators have a limited window to review civilian nuclear cooperation agreements before they enter into force.

Lawmakers face significant procedural hurdles in blocking the accord, as stopping it would require both chambers to pass a joint resolution of disapproval and then muster a two-thirds majority to override an expected presidential veto. Such a supermajority remains unlikely given the current partisan composition of Congress, effectively ensuring the agreement will likely proceed despite objections.