U.S. Lawmakers Challenge Trump Saudi Nuclear Pact as 90-Day Review Nears
Updated
Updated · Jewish Insider · Jun 5
U.S. Lawmakers Challenge Trump Saudi Nuclear Pact as 90-Day Review Nears
2 articles · Updated · Jewish Insider · Jun 5
Summary
Congress is bracing for a proposed U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear pact that could take effect unless both chambers block it within 90 days after Trump submits it.
Experts and lawmakers say the draft drops two core safeguards: Saudi Arabia would not have to forswear uranium enrichment and reprocessing or accept the IAEA additional protocol for snap inspections.
Rep. Brad Sherman and other Democrats warned the terms could spur a regional arms race, with Egypt, Turkey and even the UAE pushed to seek matching capabilities; some Republicans said they had not yet reviewed the plan.
The administration has uncoupled the nuclear talks from Saudi-Israel normalization, while critics argue weaker terms would undercut decades of U.S. nonproliferation policy and could also strain Washington's nuclear framework with the UAE.
If America rejects this deal, will Russia simply provide nuclear tech to Saudi Arabia with fewer safeguards?
Could a US-Saudi nuclear pact ignite the very Middle East arms race it is meant to prevent?
High-Stakes U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal in 2026: Congressional Scrutiny, Nonproliferation Dilemmas, and Regional Power Shifts
Overview
In June 2026, the proposed U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear pact entered a crucial congressional review, as required for all foreign nuclear cooperation agreements. Submitted in early spring, the agreement faces intense scrutiny over whether it meets U.S. non-proliferation standards and national security interests. Experts warn that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium could pose long-term proliferation risks, since nuclear reactors last for decades and require lasting trust. Congress has the authority to reject or condition the pact, and the immediate stakes are high as lawmakers weigh strict safeguards to prevent nuclear weapons development before the agreement can take effect.