President Donald Trump has approved a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that could allow the kingdom to enrich its own fuel for civilian reactors, according to a US official. The agreement would last 30 years and could be announced as soon as Wednesday, involving American companies providing technology and expertise for the Saudi program.

The deal must be sent to Congress and could prove controversial since uranium enrichment capability could theoretically lead to nuclear weapons development. The agreement includes limits on inspections of the Saudi program, which may draw skepticism from lawmakers. Israel, widely believed to possess undeclared nuclear weapons, has long opposed Saudi access to nuclear technology.

Iran, Saudi Arabia's main regional rival, maintains a stockpile of enriched uranium and insists its program is civilian. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pledged to pursue a nuclear weapon if Iran produces one. Most countries with civilian reactors purchase enriched uranium rather than produce it domestically under international supervision.

The US has pursued a Saudi civilian nuclear agreement for years. Under the Biden administration, it was tied to a broader normalization pact between Saudi Arabia and Israel, but efforts stalled after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. The Trump administration revived nuclear discussions last year.