President Donald Trump has approved a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that may allow the kingdom to enrich uranium for its civilian nuclear program, according to two people familiar with the matter. The deal, which could be publicly announced as early as Wednesday, July 22, 2026, is expected to last 30 years and involve U.S. firms in developing the program.

The agreement could permit the construction of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia following a joint U.S.-Saudi study. Both Trump and former President Joe Biden had sought to reach a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia to share American nuclear technology.

Nonproliferation experts have expressed concerns that any uranium enrichment capability in Saudi Arabia could open the door to a weapons program, especially given the kingdom's crown prince's statements about pursuing such a program if Iran obtains an atomic bomb.

In related regional developments, Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan recently signed a mutual defense pact after Israel launched an attack on Qatar targeting Hamas officials. Pakistan's defense minister stated that Pakistan’s nuclear program "will be made available" to Saudi Arabia if needed, a move seen as a warning to Israel, long considered the Middle East’s only nuclear-armed state.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

• Reported by Michelle L. Price from Manila, Philippines, and Jon Gambrell from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.