U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal Could Put Uranium Enrichment on Saudi Soil

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia announced a civil nuclear cooperation agreement on July 22, 2026. A key provision would have U.S. companies build a uranium-enrichment facility inside Saudi Arabia, contingent on a joint study — a departure from the "gold standard" nonproliferation framework set by the U.S.-UAE 123 agreement. Congress now reviews the deal under a high legislative bar to block it.