Saudi Arabia and the United States have officially signed an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, establishing a new framework for long-term civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries.
The Saudi Press Agency officially confirmed the agreement on Thursday, July 23, 2026, while the U.S. Department of Energy released details following the signing in Washington.
The agreement was signed by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
It includes a peaceful nuclear cooperation framework commonly known as a Section 123 Agreement, along with an accompanying bilateral safeguards agreement.
Multi-Billion-Dollar Partnership Spanning Decades
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the two agreements establish the legal foundation for a multi-billion-dollar partnership expected to span decades, covering major economic, energy and strategic objectives.
The framework will provide opportunities for American companies and nuclear technologies to participate in Saudi Arabia’s civil nuclear energy program while supporting the Kingdom’s growing energy requirements.
Washington said the partnership is also expected to expand U.S. nuclear technology exports and strengthen American nuclear industry supply chains.
Nuclear Safety, Security and Nonproliferation
Nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation form central elements of the new cooperation framework.
The U.S. Department of Energy said the agreements uphold high standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation while strengthening bilateral cooperation in civilian nuclear technology.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the agreements demonstrate the two countries’ shared commitment to strengthening Saudi-U.S. commercial relations while advancing security and economic objectives.
What Happens Next?
The U.S. Department of Energy confirmed that the nuclear cooperation agreement will now be transmitted to the U.S. Congress for review in accordance with American legal procedures.
The signing represents the culmination of negotiations that had been underway for years. In November 2025, Saudi Arabia and the United States announced that negotiations on civil nuclear cooperation had been completed, paving the way for the latest agreement.
The deal represents a significant development in Saudi-U.S. energy relations as the Kingdom continues efforts to diversify its energy mix, deploy advanced technologies and support its broader economic transformation.
