US-Saudi nuclear deal: Key details and controversy explained

What is the proposed deal about?

The United States and Saudi Arabia are in advanced talks over a landmark civilian nuclear energy agreement. The deal would allow Saudi Arabia to develop a domestic nuclear power programme with American technology and oversight. It is being positioned as a key part of Washington's strategy to strengthen ties with Riyadh and counter Chinese influence in the region.

Under the proposed terms, the US would help Saudi Arabia build nuclear reactors for energy production. In return, the Saudis would agree to strict non-proliferation standards, including allowing international inspections. However, the most politically charged condition reportedly involves normalising relations with Israel.

The Israel recognition condition

Former US President Donald Trump, who has been involved in preliminary discussions, has publicly stated that the Saudis must recognise Israel for the deal to proceed. This condition mirrors the Abraham Accords framework, which saw several Arab nations normalise ties with Israel in 2020. Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and home to its holiest sites, has traditionally made Palestinian statehood a precondition for recognising Israel.

The Trump administration and current US negotiators view the nuclear deal as a potential catalyst for a broader Middle East peace settlement. Saudi officials have not confirmed the condition publicly, but sources indicate the recognition clause is a sticking point in closed-door talks.

Regional fears of an arms race

The deal has alarmed several Middle Eastern nations, particularly Israel. Despite the normalisation requirement, many Israelis fear that a Saudi nuclear programme, even if civilian, could eventually be weaponised. A Reuters report highlighted concerns that the deal might ignite a regional arms race, with Iran, Turkey, and Egypt potentially seeking their own nuclear capabilities.

Iran, which already has a contested nuclear programme, has condemned the proposed agreement. Tehran argues that it would destabilise the region and violate the spirit of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Meanwhile, smaller Gulf states are watching closely, worried about being left behind technologically and strategically.

Existing nuclear programmes in the Middle East

The Middle East already hosts several nuclear programmes. The United Arab Emirates operates the Barakah nuclear plant, built with South Korean help, under stringent international safeguards. Iran's programme at Natanz and Fordow remains a source of tension, with the IAEA reporting enriched uranium levels close to weapons-grade. Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but has never officially confirmed it.

Egypt and Turkey have expressed interest in nuclear energy but lack operational plants. The proposed US-Saudi deal, if approved, would make Saudi Arabia the second Arab state with a working nuclear reactor, after the UAE. However, the scale and terms of the Saudi programme are expected to be far larger, raising the stakes for regional stability.

What happens next?

The deal is not yet finalised. It requires approval from the US Congress, where several lawmakers have expressed scepticism over Saudi Arabia's human rights record and its ties to China. The Saudi government has also not publicly committed to the Israel recognition clause. Negotiations are expected to continue through the end of 2025, with a final decision likely to be a key test of US diplomatic influence in the Middle East.