US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Sparks Proliferation Concerns Over Uranium Enrichment

The United States and Saudi Arabia have reportedly signed a "peaceful nuclear cooperation" agreement that could allow the Gulf kingdom to enrich uranium domestically. This deal, described by the U.S. Department of Energy as providing "great access for American companies to Saudi Arabia's nuclear energy program," is significant because enriched uranium can fuel nuclear power plants but also be used to create nuclear weapons. Experts express concern that this could increase the risk of nuclear proliferation in an already volatile region, drawing parallels to the ongoing tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran over its nuclear program. While the full text of the agreement remains undisclosed, U.S. "peaceful nuclear cooperation" agreements typically allow for the transfer of nuclear materials, technology, and joint research. However, granting Saudi Arabia the ability to enrich uranium domestically would be a rare exception, as only India and Japan have previously received such permission. Other nations typically must import nuclear fuel and are prohibited from reprocessing used fuel, a process that can recover plutonium and uranium. This capability is denied to Saudi neighbors like the United Arab Emirates. Rosemary Kelanic of Defense Priorities noted that U.S. assistance in domestic uranium enrichment would be "quite shocking" and a significant departure from prior policy, as it substantially increases a nation's risk profile for nuclear weapons development. Uranium enrichment involves increasing the concentration of the U-235 isotope, which is fissile, from its natural level of about 0.7% to between 3-5% for commercial reactor fuel, or much higher (20% or more, up to 90%) for research reactors and military-grade weapons. Saudi Arabia has sought to develop a civilian nuclear program since 2010 but currently lacks nuclear power plants and production capabilities. The U.S. Department of Energy stated that the agreement includes a "bilateral safeguards agreement" aimed at promoting non-proliferation, while Saudi Arabia affirmed the deal extends existing energy sector cooperation. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously stated in 2018 that Saudi Arabia would pursue nuclear weapons if Iran developed them.