WASHINGTON, D.C. โ The Zionist Organization of America is urging Congress to reject a proposed civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia, arguing that any arrangement allowing the kingdom to enrich uranium could create serious long-term security risks for both Israel and the United States.
In a statement released following reports that the Trump administration is exploring a framework for a Saudi civilian nuclear program, ZOA National President Morton “Mort” Klein warned that the proposal could accelerate nuclear proliferation across the Middle East while reducing America’s strategic leverage in the region.
The proposed framework, as publicly discussed, would examine whether Saudi Arabia could eventually enrich uranium as part of a civilian nuclear energy program. Any final agreement would require congressional approval and compliance with U.S. nuclear cooperation laws.
Klein argued that even studying such an arrangement sends the wrong strategic signal at a time of continued regional instability.
Warning of Regional Nuclear Proliferation
“The U.S.-Saudi deal for a ‘civilian’ nuclear program, which potentially, after a two-year study, includes permitting Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, is a serious, dangerous mistake,” Klein said.
“The deal seems likely to lead to widespread nuclear proliferation throughout the Middle East and redouble Iran’s determination to rapidly obtain nuclear weapons at all costs.”
ZOA contends that permitting domestic uranium enrichment would significantly increase the risk that civilian nuclear technology could eventually be diverted toward military applications, either under current leadership or future governments.
The organization argues that evaluating the proposal primarily through the lens of commercial viability overlooks broader national security concerns.
“The proposed study on Saudi uranium enrichment appears to focus on economic profitability while ignoring the grave dangers of proliferation and an unstable Middle Eastern nation potentially obtaining nuclear weapons,” Klein said.
Concerns Over International Oversight
A central element of ZOA’s criticism involves international nuclear safeguards.
According to Klein, Saudi Arabia has not adopted the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, an enhanced inspection agreement designed to strengthen the agency’s ability to detect undeclared nuclear activities.
“Saudi Arabia has also rejected the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol for more rigorous inspections, making meaningful monitoring inadequate,” Klein said.
The Additional Protocol supplements standard safeguards agreements by providing inspectors with broader access to facilities and information intended to improve verification of peaceful nuclear activities.
Supporters of expanded safeguards have argued that adoption of the protocol should be an important consideration in any future nuclear cooperation agreement.
Israel’s Security and Regional Stability
ZOA also expressed concern that advancing a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia could reduce American leverage in broader regional diplomacy.
Klein argued that Washington should not separate discussions surrounding civilian nuclear cooperation from efforts to expand normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
“It is deeply dismaying that the administration is giving away the leverage of Saudi-Israel normalization while a nuclear Saudi Arabia would render America’s obligation to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge close to useless,” he said.
Maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge has been a longstanding objective of U.S. policy, requiring successive administrations to ensure that Israel retains technological and military superiority over potential regional adversaries.
ZOA argues that introducing additional uranium enrichment capabilities into the region could complicate that longstanding policy.
Lessons From Iran
In explaining the organization’s opposition, Klein pointed to the historical origins of Iran’s nuclear program.
“Remember: Iran’s nuclear program began under the U.S. ‘Atoms for Peace’ program when Iran was considered an American ally,” he said.
He argued that Iran’s subsequent transformation into an adversarial regime demonstrates how long-term geopolitical circumstances can change dramatically.
“Iran has evolved into a genocidal Islamist regime that repeatedly threatens America and its allies while pursuing nuclear weapons development,” Klein said.
ZOA contends that policymakers should consider how future political changes within Saudi Arabia could affect any nuclear infrastructure established today.
Questions About Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Alignment
Klein also cited Saudi Arabia’s recent foreign policy decisions as reasons for caution.
According to ZOA, Riyadh has at times pursued diplomatic engagement with Iran, expanded aspects of its relationship with China, and declined certain forms of U.S. military cooperation during the 2025 conflict involving Iran.
Those developments, Klein argued, demonstrate that Saudi strategic interests do not always align with those of the United States or Israel.
The organization therefore believes Congress should apply rigorous scrutiny before approving any agreement involving sensitive nuclear technologies.
Congressional Review Ahead
Under U.S. law, significant civilian nuclear cooperation agreements are subject to congressional review before taking effect.
The administration has indicated that discussions remain ongoing and that no final agreement has been concluded.
Klein urged lawmakers to reject any proposal that includes domestic uranium enrichment.
“Congress should reject this harmful, exceedingly dangerous U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal before it creates another irreversible national security disaster,” he said.
The debate is expected to remain a significant issue as policymakers weigh the strategic benefits of closer ties with Saudi Arabia against concerns over nuclear proliferation, regional stability, and Israel’s long-term security.
