Trump’s Saudi Nuclear Deal Breaks Old U.S. Rule

Trump’s Saudi nuclear deal marks a sharp break from the long-standing U.S. approach to nuclear cooperation in the Middle East. For years, American presidents insisted that Saudi Arabia normalize relations with Israel before getting access to U.S. nuclear technology for civilian energy work. President Donald Trump did not make that concession a condition of the agreement.

Critics warned that the pact could encourage a nuclear arms race in a region already under heavy strain. Analysts also said it fits Trump’s second-term pattern of more transactional foreign policy, with a focus on economic competition and keeping allies aligned with Washington rather than following the traditional Israel-first framework.

That approach appears to have paid off for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has pushed for a nuclear agreement with the United States as part of his broader effort to deepen ties with the West. The source says the agreement reportedly does not include strict enforcement measures that would block Saudi Arabia from pursuing a military nuclear program later. It also differs from the 2009 U.S.-United Arab Emirates nuclear cooperation deal, which included tighter inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Critics are also pointing to reports that the Saudi pact would allow uranium enrichment on Saudi soil.