Saudi Arabia Has Not Ruled Out Developing Nuclear Weapons, US Intelligence Warns: Report

Last Updated:September 26, 2026, 09:35 IST

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said Riyadh would seek nuclear weapons if Iran acquired one.

Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump. (AFP file photo)

Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to a classified US intelligence assessment reportedly provided to US Congress. The Washington Post reported the assessment which comes two months after the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement that could give the kingdom a pathway to uranium enrichment. The agreement, signed in July, is designed to support Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme and give US companies a central role in developing the kingdom’s nuclear infrastructure.

The agreement drew concern from US lawmakers and Israeli officials because uranium enrichment technology can be used for civilian nuclear power but, if further developed, can also contribute to a nuclear weapons capability. The agreement includes safeguards intended to prevent Saudi Arabia from enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels, while any enrichment on Saudi soil would be controlled by US companies.

The latest intelligence assessment intensified scrutiny of the deal, particularly because Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said Riyadh would seek nuclear weapons if Iran acquired one. The July agreement itself does not establish that Saudi Arabia has decided to pursue a weapons programme.

A group of Democratic senators, led by Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey and Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, raised objections to the agreement. In a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers warned that allowing Riyadh to acquire domestic enrichment capabilities could create a pathway towards a nuclear weapons programme.

Senator Merkley questioned why Saudi Arabia would insist on domestic enrichment and reprocessing capabilities if its intentions were strictly civilian. Senator Markey, meanwhile, linked the issue to the wider conflict with Iran and warned that developments in Saudi Arabia could contribute to a regional nuclear arms race.

The senators also questioned potential conflicts of interest involving people and companies connected to the Trump administration. Their concerns include a reported $2-billion investment by a Saudi sovereign wealth fund in a fund associated with Jared Kushner after he left the White House, as well as the potential benefits to US nuclear companies from the agreement.

Under the 30-year agreement, US businesses are expected to play a central role in building Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear infrastructure, potentially giving American companies a major share of future nuclear projects in the kingdom. The agreement was submitted to Congress for review in August. Under US law, Congress has 90 days while in session to review a nuclear cooperation agreement. Unless lawmakers pass a joint resolution rejecting it, the agreement can take effect without requiring an affirmative vote from both chambers.

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What are the details of the US-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation agreement signed in July?

The US and Saudi Arabia signed a civil nuclear agreement in July designed to support the kingdom’s civilian nuclear programme and give US companies a central role in infrastructure development. The 30-year pact could provide a pathway to uranium enrichment on Saudi soil under US-controlled safeguards intended to prevent weaponisation.

Why are US lawmakers and senators objecting to the nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia?

Democratic senators, led by Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley, warned US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that allowing Riyadh domestic enrichment capabilities could create a pathway toward a nuclear weapons programme and trigger a regional arms race. They also questioned potential conflicts of interest involving Trump administration connections and a Saudi investment in a fund associated with Jared Kushner.

How does the congressional review process work for the US-Saudi nuclear agreement?

The civil nuclear agreement was submitted to Congress for review in August. Under US law, lawmakers have 90 days while in session to review the pact, and it can take effect without requiring an affirmative vote unless Congress passes a joint resolution of rejection.

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