US and Saudi Arabia Sign Multi-Billion Dollar Nuclear Deal

The United States and Saudi Arabia have formally agreed to a civilian nuclear cooperation pact, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright signing the deal in Washington alongside Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. The agreement, which also includes a separate bilateral safeguards arrangement, marks the culmination of years of talks that began under the Biden administration and were tied to a broader diplomatic package that would have seen Saudi Arabia normalise ties with Israel.

The pact follows a series of stalled negotiations that collapsed after the October 7 attacks, and it is expected to face scrutiny from U.S. allies and safety‑concerned observers. Critics argue that expanding Saudi Arabia’s access to nuclear technology could raise proliferation risks, while supporters contend that the safeguards provisions will mitigate such concerns. The deal represents a significant shift in U.S. policy toward the kingdom, underscoring the administration’s willingness to pursue strategic partnerships even amid geopolitical tensions.