ISLAMABAD – The United States and Saudi Arabia are on the verge of signing a preliminary agreement aimed at launching a civil nuclear cooperation program, according to Saudi Press Attaché Dr. Naif Al-Otaibi, who cited a statement from US Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
Wright, during his first official visit to Riyadh as part of a broader tour of energy-producing Gulf states, met with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. Following their discussions, he revealed that both countries are on “a pathway” to establishing a formal partnership in civil nuclear energy.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Al-Otaibi highlighted that Washington and Riyadh are preparing to invest jointly in civil nuclear technology and broader energy cooperation, with detailed disclosures expected later this year.
Wright confirmed that any official partnership would be based on a 123 agreement—a legal requirement under Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954. This agreement sets out strict non-proliferation conditions that countries must meet to prevent the misuse of nuclear technology for weapons development.
While talks are progressing, Wright noted that Saudi Arabia has not yet agreed to the full terms of the 123 agreement. However, he expressed optimism, saying there are “lots of ways to structure a deal” that aligns with both Saudi and American objectives in the energy sector.
This civil nuclear collaboration could mark a significant step in deepening Saudi-US strategic energy ties while supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative for technological and industrial advancement.
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