Israel Concerned U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal Could Open Door to Saudi Uranium Enrichment

Israeli sources warn the provision could spur regional proliferation if Washington ultimately allows Riyadh to enrich uranium on its own soil

July 22nd, 15PM July 22nd, 15PM

Israeli sources are expressing concern over the reported terms of the U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement, fearing it could eventually permit Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its own territory and encourage other Middle Eastern states to pursue similar capabilities, Haaretz has learned.

According to Israeli sources who spoke to Haaretz, the main concern stems from a provision in the agreement originally leaked to the New York Times under which Washington and Riyadh will spend the next two years studying whether uranium enrichment should take place inside Saudi Arabia rather than relying on imported nuclear fuel.

"If this ultimately leads to Saudi uranium enrichment, it is not good news for Israel, even if normalization were announced alongside it," one Israeli source familiar with years of discussions between the two countries said.

Several Israeli sources said they fear permitting Saudi enrichment would encourage other countries in the region to pursue the same capability.

Israel does not oppose Saudi Arabia developing a civilian nuclear program in principle, the sources said, but has consistently opposed the construction of a uranium enrichment facility in the kingdom. During discussions with Washington, Israel sought special security and oversight arrangements for any Saudi nuclear facilities.

According to the sources, the Biden administration opposed allowing Saudi-controlled uranium enrichment altogether, and discussions at the time focused on stricter arrangements that would prevent it. It remains unclear whether the final agreement signed by the Trump administration addresses Israel's concerns.

The agreement, which is expected to be submitted to Congress in the coming days, does not include the "Gold Standard" that would bar Saudi Arabia from enriching uranium or reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, nor does it require the kingdom to adopt the International Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol, which provides for broader international inspections.

Under the agreement, U.S. companies could build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia if the joint U.S.-Saudi study concludes that domestic enrichment is warranted.

The Trump administration has argued that U.S. involvement would ensure the program is not diverted for military purposes, and that if Washington opposes moving forward after the study, Saudi Arabia would be prohibited from pursuing enrichment independently or with another foreign partner for 10 years.

Unlike a civilian nuclear reactor, an enrichment facility could provide the expertise and infrastructure needed to produce weapons-grade nuclear material should Saudi Arabia ever decide to pursue a military nuclear program. Sources cautioned that once such a facility exists, international oversight could be halted at any time.

The sources further warned that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium would make it difficult to prevent other countries in the region – including Turkey, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates – from seeking the same capability, potentially undermining the global nuclear nonproliferation regime.