U.S. and Saudi Arabia sign nuclear cooperation deal

Washington — The U.S. and Saudi governments have signed a commercial nuclear deal that could allow Saudi Arabia to have a civilian nuclear program on its soil in cooperation with American companies, the U.S. Department of Energy announced Wednesday.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed what the Trump administration calls a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement, along with a safeguard agreement that the Energy Department says will lay the groundwork for a multibillion-dollar partnership to boost Saudi energy capacity. The deal could set the stage for a nuclear program for energy and other civilian purposes, not to build nuclear weapons.

CBS News previously reported the expected signing, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

"These agreements reflect our two nations' shared commitment to strengthening U.S.-Saudi commercial relations, delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad," Wright said in a statement. "Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world's best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States."

The deal would create the potential for uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, though that would be controlled by a contracted corporation and only after a lengthy study is completed, CBS News previously reported. A civilian program is for energy supply for things like AI data centers, and not a military program.

The U.S. will want to see protocols and monitoring. The text of the deal has not yet been released.

The agreement will go to Congress for review, the Energy Department said. A 1954 law requires congressional review of all nuclear cooperation deals with foreign countries.

Westinghouse Electric Company, which builds nuclear reactors, is one of the U.S. companies planning to help develop Saudi Arabia's nuclear sector.

"The U.S. government's announcement to launch a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia is a landmark step that strengthens energy security, expands opportunities for U.S. industry and workers, and drives significant long-term economic growth and investment benefits for both countries," said Westinghouse CEO Dan Sumner.

A Trump administration framework for civil nuclear cooperation had been publicly announced in the fall of 2025. At the time, Wright described it as including bilateral safeguard agreements to bring U.S. nuclear technology to the kingdom. At the time, Wright stipulated that this keeps a "firm commitmen