US and Saudi Arabia Advance Civil Nuclear Deal Including 2.8 GW Reactor Ahead of Trump’s May Visit, Raising Israel Concerns

The United States and Saudi Arabia are advancing discussions on a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, marking a new step in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to localize its nuclear industry. This development comes amid preparations for President Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia in May, his first foreign trip of the term, and reflects efforts by the Trump administration to strengthen ties with Gulf partners. The proposed deal includes plans for a 2.8 gigawatt nuclear reactor in Saudi Arabia, pursued independently of the Abraham Accords, which Saudi Arabia has not joined. While the agreement raises concerns in Israel, analysts suggest it is aimed at countering Iran's military nuclear capabilities and broader proliferation risks in the region rather than serving as a pathway to normalization between Riyadh and Tel Aviv. Despite rocky relations with some traditional U.S. security allies, Saudi Arabia remains a key partner in the Trump administration's Middle East strategy.