by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) — U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday in Riyadh that the U.S. is close to a landmark energy deal with Saudi Arabia to develop its civil nuclear industry, with a preliminary agreement expected soon.
Wright confirmed that the U.S. plans to sign a broad energy cooperation agreement within weeks, with a nuclear deal expected in the coming months.
“I think in the short run, we’ll sign a broader agreement about cooperation across the energy space, in partnerships, in investments, in investigations. Nuclear is certainly one of those areas,” Wright told Al-Arabiya News.
“To get a specific agreement to partner on commercial nuclear development in Saudi Arabia, that’ll take a little bit longer, that’ll be months, not weeks, but you’re gonna get there. I think it’s likely,” he added.
Wright noted that Saudi Arabia has yet to accept the non-proliferation conditions required under the U.S. Atomic Energy Act, which includes nine safeguards to prevent nuclear weapons development or material transfer.
“For a U.S. partnership and involvement in nuclear here, there will definitely be a 123 agreement … there’s lots of ways to structure a deal that will accomplish both the Saudi objectives and the American objectives,” he said.
A 123 agreement with Riyadh refers to Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which is required for the U.S. government and American companies to collaborate with Saudi entities on developing a civil nuclear industry.
In the past, talks had stalled over Riyadh’s refusal to rule out uranium enrichment or fuel reprocessing—key steps toward a bomb.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said that if Iran acquires a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would pursue one as well, raising concerns among arms control advocates and some U.S. lawmakers about a potential civil nuclear deal.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Thousands of Jewish worshipers ascended the Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av, turning the solemn fast over the destruction of the biblical Temples into a striking display of renewed Jewish prayer at the contested holy site. The scenes underscored a profound shift now unfolding in Jerusalem, where mourning over the Temples’ destruction is increasingly joined by open calls for restored Jewish worship—and, among a growing number of activists, the rebuilding of the Temple itself.
Christians have expressed fresh concern over the safety of Syria’s religious minorities after an Alawite mother and her two young children were reportedly shot dead in the central city of Homs in an attack that has raised fresh fears of sectarian violence.
Christian missionaries told Worthy News Wednesday that their “pregnancy support ministry” in Jordan has helped nearly 200 pregnant refugee women and girls over the past year despite war, displacement and, in some cases, pressure to abort their unborn children.
Outspoken Christians and other government critics are expected to face mounting pressure after Nicaragua’s long-serving President Daniel Ortega said the Central American nation will no longer hold elections, eliminating any possibility of an electoral challenge when his current term ends next year and further consolidating the power he shares with his wife, Rosario Murillo.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced Thursday a sweeping anti-corruption drive targeting projects approved under the previous administration led by Viktor Orbán, saying the government had filed criminal complaints over projects worth about $3.2 billion while vowing not to increase security after being spat on by a passerby earlier this week.
President Donald Trump said Thursday he is nearing a decision on whether to launch a “massive attack” against Iran, warning that Tehran has not suffered enough pressure to abandon its attacks on international shipping and return to serious negotiations.
President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on Senate Republicans to advance legislation requiring voters to show photo identification and provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote.