Trump appears to reverse stance on Saudi nuclear agreement

Washington – President Donald Trump has signaled a reversal of his administration’s earlier endorsement of a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, raising questions about the future of the proposed partnership. The shift follows internal reviews by the State Department and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that highlighted concerns over nuclear proliferation and the adequacy of safeguards, prompting senior officials to advise that the United States could not proceed without additional assurances from Riyadh.

The original framework, a Section 123 agreement, would have allowed Saudi Arabia to import nuclear fuel and technology for civilian power generation under strict U.S. oversight. In recent weeks, the White House has indicated that the deal will be put on hold pending further negotiations on verification measures and end‑use monitoring. Saudi officials have expressed disappointment but affirmed their willingness to address U.S. concerns. The pause underscores the administration’s heightened scrutiny of nuclear exports and may affect broader strategic ties between the two nations as both sides assess alternative energy and security collaborations.