Trump sends Saudi civil nuclear agreement to Congress for review

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump has submitted a classified agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress aimed at advancing the kingdom’s civilian nuclear program, but insists the deal depends on Saudi normalization of relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.
• The agreement, signed last month by U.S. and Saudi energy officials, faces uncertainty as Trump’s condition linking it to the Abraham Accords surprised Saudi officials and could complicate congressional approval.
• Congress has 90 days to review the agreement under the Atomic Energy Act, and unless a joint resolution rejects it, the deal can take effect without a congressional vote.
• The classified nature of the entire agreement is unusual compared to previous nuclear pacts, which have typically been made public with only some annexes classified.
• Concerns remain among some U.S. lawmakers about the potential for Saudi uranium enrichment to spur nuclear proliferation, while Saudi Arabia insists normalization with Israel requires progress on Palestinian statehood, a position opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.