Historic civil nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia

By GT24x7 Correspondents · 23 July 2026 · GlobalToday24x7

The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a historic agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation, taking their strategic relationship to a new level. The agreement paves the way for long-term cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector between the two countries and provides an opportunity for American companies to participate in Saudi Arabia's ambitious nuclear energy program.

In Washington, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the '123 Agreement' and a bilateral nuclear security agreement. Under the agreement, U.S. companies will be able to provide technology, equipment, and technical expertise to Saudi Arabia's emerging civil nuclear energy sector. The agreement includes safeguards provisions, under which both countries pledge to adhere to the highest standards of nuclear security, safety, and non-proliferation.

Under US law, a Section 123 Agreement is required before any country can enter into significant civil nuclear energy cooperation. This agreement sets out the legal and non-proliferation framework for the transfer of nuclear technology and equipment, as well as for cooperation. The agreement will now be submitted to the US Congress for final approval. If approved by Congress, it would mark a new era in US-Saudi Arabia relations in the areas of energy, strategic cooperation, and nuclear technology.