politics

February 22, 2026

Proposed US-Saudi Pact Could Allow Riyadh to Build Nuclear Weapons

The US is finalizing a multibillion-dollar deal with Saudi Arabia that could reportedly enable the kingdom to pursue nuclear weapons

Proposed US-Saudi Pact Could Allow Riyadh to Build Nuclear Weapons

TL;DR

  • A multibillion-dollar US-Saudi nuclear cooperation deal is nearing finalization.
  • The Arms Control Association warns the deal may allow Saudi Arabia to pursue nuclear weapons and uranium enrichment.
  • The proposed agreement reportedly lacks strict nonproliferation safeguards.
  • This contrasts with US demands for Iran to halt enrichment and threats of new strikes.
  • Saudi Arabia claims it wants reactors for energy diversification and not nuclear weapons, but has warned it would pursue them if Iran does.
  • The US-Russia New START treaty has expired, removing a key arms control framework.

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