U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia excludes uranium enrichment and anything tied to weapons. The deal focuses on building a large civilian nuclear power plant and was announced during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Washington visit. Wright emphasized the pact's intent to provide secure, reliable and affordable electricity under appropriate safeguards.
US Energy Secretary: Saudi Civil Nuclear Deal Excludes Uranium Enrichment
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia excludes uranium enrichment and anything tied to weapons. The deal focuses on building a large civilian nuclear power plant and was announced during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Washington visit. Wright emphasized the pact's intent to provide secure, reliable and affordable electricity under appropriate safeguards.
11:25 PM, 11/19/2025Security
WASHINGTON — U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Wednesday that the civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia excludes uranium enrichment and any activities connected to weapons, stressing the pact is limited to civilian power generation.
It is about civilian use of nuclear power. It's not about enrichment. It's not about anything related to weapons. It's just about generating electricity that is secure, reliable and affordable, Wright said in an interview with Fox News.
The agreement centers on the construction of a large nuclear power plant in Saudi Arabia and was among several commercial and strategic arrangements announced during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington. Wright emphasized that safeguards and strict oversight would guide the project's implementation to ensure peaceful, civilian use.
Observers note that fuel-cycle activities such as enrichment can raise proliferation concerns, so officials often stress the civilian scope of cooperation to reassure international partners and the public.
Reported by Katharine Jackson; Edited by Doina Chiacu.