Dated 23-07-2026, Thursday.
In 2018, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman of Saudi Arabia has vowed he would build nuclear weapons if Iran does so, because Iran has had a civil nuclear program since 2002, approved by U.S. President George W. Bush on 28 January 2002 after 9/11.
Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons grade following President Trump’s withdrawal in 2018 from an Obama-era nuclear deal (JCPOA).
Trump in his second term, ordered American forces to join with Israel to attack Iran’s nuclear sites in June 2025. Trump again started war against Iran on 28 February 2026, and killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family members.
Saudi Arabia has pursued a civilian nuclear power programme for two decades, and has explored nuclear development with South Korean, Chinese, French and Russian partners.
In November 2025, Trump and Prince Mohammed agreed to proceed with America-Saudi civilian nuclear cooperation. American and Saudi officials have been in talks on a plan since then. They have finalised the details this year and would share the plan with Congress for approval soon.
The United States has 26 Nuclear agreements called 1-2-3 Agreements, with 51 governments and the International Atomic Energy Agency for nuclear cooperation.
After Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) started nuclear negotiations with America while President George W. Bush was in office. It was finalised in 2009, and the United States entered into an agreement with UAE, with far more restrictive conditions. The UAE agreed to forgo the right to produce its own fuel for its nuclear reactor. The UAE also agreed to the stringent inspections, what is called an “additional protocol” with the International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA).
The type of deal that the Trump administration has reached with Saudi Arabia established a legally binding framework between two nations on nuclear cooperation but neither aimed at ensuring non-proliferation policies nor recognition of Israel.
President Trump’s concessions to the Saudis on the terms of the nuclear deal are significant. President Trump has given green light to Saudi programme that not only has enrichment and reprocessing of Uranium but also doesn’t have an “additional protocol” and doesn’t even have inspections by AIEA.
During the Iran war this year, Saudi officials have concerns about American policy in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab nations due to Trump support to Israel. Prince Mohammad refused t0 let the U.S. military use Saudi airspace for an operation to escort commercial tankers through the Strait of Hormuz because Saudi Arabia has normalised diplomatic relations with Iran in March 2023, in a deal brokered by China.
Wednesday’s agreement between America-Saudi represents an effort by Washington to keep Saudi Arabia “on US side” because they “have been pummelled by the Iranians in the war started by America and Israel last year.
NOTE: Saudi Arabia aims to build 10-12 Nuclear Plants all over the Kingdom in the next two decades to meet the energy needs of Saudi industrialisation and Data Centres for Artificial Intelligence.
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In my opinion this agreement shows that Middle East will be the centre of “New World Order”.
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