On September 26, 2026, it was revealed that U.S. intelligence reported to Congress about the possibility of Saudi Arabia developing a nuclear program. The classified document states that the kingdom does not rule out such a possibility, raising concerns among some U.S. lawmakers.
Concerns Among American Lawmakers
The recent developments surrounding Saudi Arabia's nuclear program have become a subject of active discussion in the U.S. Congress. Some lawmakers express fears that President Donald Trump's support for establishing a civilian nuclear program for the kingdom may actually lead to the development of nuclear weapons. They believe this could trigger an arms race in the unstable Middle East region.
Terms of the U.S.-Saudi Agreement
The potential agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia allows the kingdom to enrich uranium up to 20%. Experts argue that this level of enrichment could be used for a rapid transition to producing weapon-grade uranium. Currently, the agreement is undergoing a 90-day review period in Congress, during which lawmakers may attempt to block it if they gain sufficient support.
Official U.S. Position
In response to inquiries from The Washington Post, representatives of the U.S. State Department stated that Washington "does not support and will not support Saudi Arabia's nuclear weapons program." Saudi Arabia, for its part, claims that its nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful and will be implemented with a "high level of responsibility and transparency."