"U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials have expressed opposition to such a plan, to be announced Wednesday, fearing that the kingdom could use a civilian nuclear project to develop nuclear weapons."
"Nuclear experts say it throws fuel on the smoldering fire of atomic proliferation, creating a destabilizing situation that could raise the risk of nuclear war.
President Trump went to war with Iran in part to force compliance with two longstanding American demands: Tehran must stop enriching nuclear fuel for at least two decades, and it must allow international inspectors to go anywhere and see anything to verify the country is not producing a bomb.
On Wednesday, Mr. Trump took the reverse approach to Saudi Arabia, its close ally in the region. To seal a deal for Westinghouse and other American companies to seize a big piece of the business in building two nuclear reactors on Saudi territory — and more to come — it opened the door to allowing the kingdom to begin enriching its own nuclear fuel after two years.
And it gave in to the kingdom’s demand that it not have to abide by an inspection agreement that applies to more than 140 other countries. Those rules, the Saudis said, are just too intrusive."
David E. Sanger and William J. Broad report for the New York Times July 22, 2026.
SEE ALSO:
"U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal Stokes Israeli Concerns of Mideast Arms Race" (New York Times)
"Israelis Fear Saudi Nuclear Deal Could Ignite Mideast Arms Race" (Reuters)
"US Signs Landmark Nuclear Deal With Saudi Arabia" (BBC News)
"Why A Saudi Nuclear Deal Is A Perfect Metaphor For Trump’s Presidency" (CNN)
