US and Saudi Arabia set to unveil nuclear power deal, media reports say

US and Saudi Arabia set to unveil deal for civil nuclear program in Gulf kingdom, media reports sayPosted Thu 23 Jul 2026 at 2:34amThu 23 Jul 2026 at 2:34am, updated Thu 23 Jul 2026 at 2:59amThu 23 Jul 2026 at 2:59amUS President Donald Trump with Saudi counterpart Mohammed Bin Salman. (Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein)The United States is expected to sign an agreement with Saudi Arabia that could provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program. The deal between the US and Saudi Arabia, was expected to last 30 years and involve US firms in developing the program, according to multiple US media outlets.President Donald Trump's administration said the agreement would provide billions of dollars for the US nuclear industry.It comes as Washington continues its war with Iran that began partly due to US concerns over Tehran's nuclear program and remains a key point of contention during the now-stalled peace talks.But US politicians from both parties and Israeli officials had voiced opposition to a civilian nuclear project for Saudi Arabia over fears it could be converted to eventually develop nuclear weapons.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio refused to confirm the Saudi Arabia deal but dismissed fears it could lead to nuclear proliferation. (Reuters: Julia Demaree Nikhinson)The deal is expected to be submitted to Congress in the coming days, but its approval is not required for it to go through.The White House and Saudi officials in Riyadh did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment on the decision, which has been reported by multiple US media outlets.Saudi Arabia has long been adamant about its right to pursue a civilian nuclear program.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier declined to confirm the Saudi Arabia deal in Manila, deferring to the White House."Suffice it to say, the US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation," he told reporters on the sidelines of a summit of Southeast Asian foreign ministers.Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said the agreement with Saudi Arabia represented a "severe strategic failure" for Israel that could endanger the country's security."Enrichment of nuclear material on Saudi soil could lead to a regional arms race and a dangerous loss of control," he said."This failure joins a series of diplomatic failures centred on one key issue – Israel is losing influence over its own fate."AFP/AP