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
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Monday appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the younger sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to complete the remaining months of her brother’s Senate term.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned Monday that Congress could face another government shutdown this fall as Democrats intensify their opposition to President Donald Trump’s proposed defense buildup and the ongoing war with Iran.
Assaults against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are up 1,300% since the second Trump administration began compared to the Biden administration era.
The long-simmering war on the Arabian Peninsula erupted again Monday as Saudi forces struck Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital and the Iranian-backed rebels answered within hours with ballistic missiles and drones aimed at southern Saudi Arabia.
The United States military has used unmanned sea drones in combat for the first time, striking Iranian naval facilities near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command announced Monday.
The Knesset passed legislation Monday granting Torah study constitutional-level recognition as a fundamental value of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
The United Nations has acknowledged that armed men affiliated with Gaza’s Hamas-run authorities have intimidated humanitarian workers, assaulted aid drivers and disrupted the delivery of lifesaving food supplies.