Donald Trump signed an agreement Wednesday allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium and reprocess plutonium — the two ingredients for nuclear bombs — despite arguing Iran's regime would inevitably weaponize such technology. Mohammed bin Salman declared in 2018 that Saudi Arabia would "follow suit as soon as possible" if Iran developed a bomb. The deal raises proliferation risks and coincides with lucrative Saudi business ties to Trump's family.

Saudi Arabia seeks the full nuclear fuel cycle, though nuclear power makes no economic sense for a nation with vast oil reserves and ideal solar and wind conditions. The UAE accepted a "gold standard" banning enrichment and reprocessing; Trump waives these controls for Saudi Arabia. The same centrifuges and reprocessing plants that make reactor fuel can produce weapons-grade material — the Hiroshima and Nagasaki pathways.

History shows civilian nuclear technology enables weapons programs. Iran's program began under the Shah with U.S. approval; Israel, Pakistan, India, and North Korea pursued bombs under civilian cover. Regime change risk looms: will the Saudi monarchy rule in 20 years when plants are operational?

Bipartisan opposition is mounting. Twenty senators opposed Joe Biden's similar proposal, and Joseph Cirincione warns this could be "the worst nuclear deal in history." FDD's Andrea Stricker urges Congress to block Trump's "even more generous deal" before irreversible damage occurs.