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As war with Iran rages on, the United States announced on Thursday that it had inked an integral nuclear agreement with its ally, Saudi Arabia, that is potentially postured to strengthen American energy supply chains.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the “peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement” was signed this week alongside a bilateral safeguard agreement.
“These agreements reflect our two nations’ shared commitment to strengthening U.S.-Saudi commercial relations, delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright in a statement.
He continued, “Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world’s best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States. Thanks to President Trump, the American nuclear renaissance is underway and will deliver long-term benefits to the American and Saudi people.”
The deal, also known as a “123 agreement,” will expand American nuclear technology exports, create American jobs, and strengthen America’s energy and national security posture, according to the agency.
It additionally prioritizes nuclear nonproliferation standards.
On Thursday morning, President Trump said that the deal between the Saudis and America was dependent on the Middle Eastern nation’s willingness to join the Abraham Accords.
“The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!) being made between the United States Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia, which pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE (and others) already have, will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords,” he said.
The president said that the United States was “not opposed to Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities.”
This agreement also comes amid the possibility that the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen may blockade the Red Sea in a specific threat against Saudi shipping.
“So far, it hasn’t happened,” President Donald Trump said of the situation on Tuesday. “It might happen, but we take care of things. If something like that happens, we take care of it. You know, we’ve done that with the Houthis before.”
