The Trump administration has submitted a classified civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to the US Congress for review, but the future of the deal remains linked to Washington's demand that Riyadh normalise diplomatic relations with Israel.
The agreement was reportedly sent to Capitol Hill under the Atomic Energy Act after being signed in Washington last month by officials from the United States and Saudi Arabia. The proposed deal aims to expand Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear programme and could involve American companies in developing the kingdom's nuclear energy infrastructure.
However, President Donald Trump has indicated that the agreement will not move forward unless Saudi Arabia agrees to normalise relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords. It remains unclear whether this condition is formally included in the classified document submitted to Congress.
Under US law, Congress has 90 days while in session to review the proposed agreement. If lawmakers do not pass a joint resolution rejecting it during that period, the agreement could take effect without requiring a separate approval vote in either chamber.
The proposed US-Saudi nuclear agreement has also raised concerns among some American lawmakers over the possibility that Saudi Arabia could seek the ability to enrich uranium. Critics have warned that such capabilities could increase nuclear proliferation risks and trigger further competition in the region.
Saudi Arabia has long pursued the development of a civilian nuclear programme and sees nuclear energy as part of its broader strategy to diversify its energy sector. The proposed agreement is expected to remain in force for 30 years if approved.
The issue of Saudi-Israel normalisation remains a major obstacle to the deal. Riyadh has maintained that establishing diplomatic relations with Israel would require a clear and credible path towards the creation of a Palestinian state.
Israel, however, has opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, citing security concerns. This difference continues to complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at expanding the Abraham Accords and bringing Saudi Arabia into the normalisation framework.
The Abraham Accords, introduced in 2020, led to the establishment or expansion of diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority countries.
With the civilian nuclear agreement now under congressional review, its final approval could depend not only on nuclear safeguards and proliferation concerns but also on wider geopolitical negotiations involving Saudi Arabia, Israel and the future of Palestinian statehood.
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