U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal Lacks Enrichment Ban, Drawing Congressional Scrutiny

The Trump administration's nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, signed July 22, 2026, omits "gold standard" provisions barring uranium enrichment and reprocessing — the steps that can produce weapons material. The pact also does not require Riyadh to adopt the IAEA Additional Protocol, which permits expanded nuclear inspections. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) said Congress should approve the deal only with gold-standard safeguards matching the U.S.-UAE agreement. Congress has 90 days to review.