Trump Sends Saudi Nuclear Deal to Congress Amid Israel Condition

• President Trump submitted a U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement to Congress.
• The deal allows U.S. companies to export civilian nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.
• Saudi Arabia requires an independent Palestinian state for normalization with Israel.
• The nuclear agreement's effectiveness is tied to the Palestinian statehood condition.
• Congress has 90 legislative days to review the 30-year pact.
• The agreement permits potential uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia under U.S. oversight.

President Trump has submitted a significant U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement to Congress for review, initiating a 90-legislative-day period where lawmakers can potentially reject the 30-year pact. This move occurs as Saudi Arabia reiterated its stance that normalization of relations with Israel is contingent upon the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, a condition President Trump has linked to the nuclear deal's effectiveness.

The agreement would permit U.S. companies to export civilian nuclear technology to the Kingdom. A key provision allows for a two-year assessment period to determine the viability of domestic uranium enrichment under U.S. oversight, a departure from the U.S. agreement with the UAE which prohibits such enrichment. Saudi Arabia has maintained its desire for enrichment capabilities, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously stating the Kingdom would pursue nuclear weapons if Iran obtained them.

For Washington, the pact aims to secure a market for U.S. companies in Saudi Arabia's planned nuclear buildout, competing against Chinese or Russian technology. Riyadh seeks nuclear power to decrease its domestic oil and gas consumption, thereby preserving more hydrocarbons for export.