The U.S. has agreed to provide Saudi Arabia with a civilian nuclear program, which potentially could include uranium enrichment on the kingdom's territory.

Critics argue the accord could encourage the spread of nuclear technology in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia says its intentions are peaceful, but de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said that if Iran ever developed a nuclear weapon, his nation would follow suit.

The deal comes as the White House is still trying to pressure Iran to curtail its nuclear program and hand over its supply of highly enriched uranium.

Here's what to know.

What does Saudi Arabia get?

Saudi Arabia will receive nuclear power reactors and potentially a uranium-enrichment facility. It is a big win for the kingdom, which has long sought to develop a domestic nuclear energy industry.

Already the world's top oil exporter, it hopes to draw on unproven uranium ore deposits to meet energy needs at home, freeing up more of its oil production to boost exports and revenues.

What does the U.S. get?

The deal, estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars, is designed to give American companies a central role while shutting out other foreign competitors including China and Russia.

Westinghouse Electric and its AP1000 reactor would be among the biggest beneficiaries.

What safeguards are included?

Trump administration officials say the American role in building the power plants and a potential enrichment facility would preclude any enriched uranium from being diverted for military purposes and ensure that spent fuel couldn't be used in a bomb.

If a joint study determines that indigenous enrichment is warranted, Americans would build the facility under a secretive "black box" arrangement, avoiding the transfer of sensitive enrichment technology to Riyadh. That study will take two years.

If the U.S. objects, the kingdom wouldn't be allowed to conduct enrichment on its own or with another foreign partner for 10 years.

What's not included?

Saudi Arabia rejected the so-called "gold standard," a commitment never to enrich uranium at home or reprocess the spent fuel from a reactor. It also rejected more rigorous monitoring and inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

U.S. officials say the new agreement provides enough monitoring, but critics say it is inadequate for investigating suspected nuclear activities that don't involve the U.S.

Trump also isn't insisting that Saudi Arabia establish ties with Israel as part of the deal, which was a condition of the Biden administration in previous negotiations.

What happens next?

The accord is expected to be signed Wednesday by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart.

It then will be submitted for review to Congress, where it faces opposition. Lawmakers will struggle to block it, though, without a joint resolution and a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate to override a potential presidential veto.

Write to Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com and Stephen Kalin at stephen.kalin@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 22, 2026 12:58 ET (16:58 GMT)

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