The agreement, worth tens of billions of dollars, would run for 30 years, according to the newspaper. It is designed to give American companies a central role in building Saudi Arabia's nuclear infrastructure while limiting access for foreign competitors.
Under the deal, U.S. firms would build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia if a joint American-Saudi study determines the step is justified. Trump administration officials argue this would give Washington influence over the Saudi nuclear program and the ability to prevent it from being diverted to military purposes.
The agreement is expected to be submitted to Congress for review in the coming days, the Journal reported, and could stir controversy among lawmakers opposed to the spread of nuclear technology in the volatile Middle East. Members of Congress are likely to ask whether the deal includes sufficient safeguards to prevent Saudi Arabia from developing nuclear weapons amid ongoing regional conflict, though the newspaper said Congress would find it difficult to block the agreement.
Trump approved the deal last week, according to the Journal. It is due to be signed Wednesday by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.
Saudi officials have long argued the kingdom needs such an agreement to build a nuclear industry that could meet domestic energy demand, freeing up more oil for export. Riyadh maintains its intentions are peaceful, though Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country's de facto leader, said in 2018 that Saudi Arabia would develop nuclear weapons if Iran did so first.
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Source: PAP