The United States is weighing a potential nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could be jeopardized by the kingdom's push to normalize relations with Israel. The move, if pursued, would reshape alliances across the Middle East and complicate already delicate U.S. negotiations with Iran.
The Nuclear Deal at Stake
Washington has long considered a civilian nuclear pact with Riyadh, which would allow the Saudis to develop nuclear energy under U.S. safeguards. But the Trump administration's efforts to broker a normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel have introduced new risks. Any such agreement could be seen as rewarding Riyadh with nuclear technology before it resolves outstanding nonproliferation concerns, potentially setting a precedent that undermines U.S. policy in the region.
Normalization with Israel
For months, the U.S. has pushed for Saudi Arabia to follow the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in recognizing Israel. Riyadh has signaled openness but tied any formal normalization to progress on Palestinian statehood and security guarantees from Washington. The nuclear cooperation offer is reportedly part of the package being discussed. But critics warn that linking the two could force the U.S. into a corner, where it must choose between advancing Israeli interests and maintaining leverage over Saudi Arabia's nuclear ambitions.
Impact on Regional Alliances
A U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal, even if limited to civilian energy, would shift the balance of power in the Middle East. It could spur other Gulf states to seek similar arrangements, while alarming Iran, which already faces international sanctions over its own nuclear program. The move might also strain ties with European allies who have pushed for stricter nonproliferation standards. At the same time, normalization with Israel would mark a historic realignment, potentially isolating Iran and its proxies further.
Complications for US-Iran Negotiations
The timing of any such deal is critical. The U.S. is currently engaged in indirect talks with Iran over reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA. A Saudi nuclear pact, especially one that does not include a ban on enrichment, could harden Tehran's position. Iran has already accused the U.S. of double standards, pointing to its own restrictions while Washington offers technology to Riyadh. The risk is that the Saudi deal becomes a bargaining chip that derails broader diplomatic efforts.
No final decisions have been announced. The Biden administration has not publicly confirmed the details of any proposed agreement. But the stakes are clear: a miscalculation could unravel years of nonproliferation work and redraw the map of Middle Eastern alliances in ways that neither Washington nor its partners fully control.
