President Donald Trump has approved a landmark nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could allow uranium enrichment inside the kingdom and pave the way for billions of dollars in contracts for US companies, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
The newspaper, citing US officials, reported that Trump signed off on the 30-year agreement late last week. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman are expected to formally sign the deal on Wednesday.
If implemented, the agreement would give Saudi Arabia access to a civilian nuclear programme while positioning American firms at the centre of the kingdom’s nuclear infrastructure. The report said the framework is intended to keep rival foreign companies out of the project.
A key provision would allow US companies to build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia, but only if a joint American-Saudi study determines such a facility is necessary.
Uranium enrichment is used to produce fuel for civilian nuclear reactors. However, the same technology can also be used to produce weapons-grade material if enriched to much higher levels, making it one of the most sensitive aspects of international nuclear cooperation.
According to the report, Trump administration officials believe direct US participation would give Washington greater oversight of Saudi Arabia’s nuclear programme and reduce the risk of sensitive technology being diverted for military purposes.
The agreement is expected to be sent to the US Congress for review in the coming days, where it could face scrutiny over the transfer of sensitive nuclear technology in the Middle East.
The Journal reported that discussions on the proposed cooperation gained momentum after Wright met his Saudi counterpart during his first overseas visit to the region in April 2025.
The deal is also expected to generate major commercial opportunities for American companies involved in reactor construction, nuclear fuel services and related infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia has been pursuing civilian nuclear energy as part of its broader strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil. The kingdom has said nuclear power would help meet rising domestic electricity demand while allowing more crude oil to be exported.