Trump Sends US-Saudi Civilian Nuclear Deal to Congress as Riyadh Rejects Israel Condition

The Trump administration formally sent the US Saudi civilian nuclear cooperation agreement to Congress on Thursday, August 27, 2026 (5 Shahrivar 1405), Oilprice.com reported. The submission starts a 90 legislative day congressional review period for the 30 year agreement, which would allow US companies to export civilian nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia. Congress can reject the agreement during that period, but Trump can veto such a resolution, which would then need two thirds majorities in both chambers to override.

Under the deal, Washington and Riyadh will spend two years assessing whether domestic uranium enrichment inside Saudi Arabia, under US oversight through a black box arrangement, is technically and commercially warranted, a provision that, unlike the 2009 US UAE nuclear agreement, does not rule out enrichment on Saudi soil. Separately on Thursday, Saudi Arabia reiterated it will not normalize relations with Israel without the creation of an independent Palestinian state, a condition Trump has said must be met before the nuclear deal takes effect. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said the kingdom would pursue a nuclear weapon if Iran obtained one.