Saudi Enrichment Plan Stalled at White House, Awaiting Trump's Signature
The Trump administration has tentatively agreed to a US-Saudi civil nuclear deal that could allow Saudi enrichment and potentially reprocessing under a bilateral safeguards framework, without adopting the IAEA's Additional Protocol. The draft 123 agreement remains unsigned as negotiations concluded in 2025, with delays attributed to Iran tensions and fear of bipartisan opposition in Congress. Experts warn the arrangement could create a pathway to weapons absent stringent safeguards, while supporters argue it could boost US nuclear competitiveness and deter rivals.