Resources

U.S.–Saudi Arabia 123 Agreement

Background, analysis, and expert perspectives on the civil nuclear cooperation agreement and its forthcoming congressional review.

Status: Awaiting transmittal to Congress

The Administration has signaled its intent to transmit the agreement to Congress. Once transmitted, a 90-day review window opens under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act. This page will be updated with the transmitted text and review materials as they become available.

Why it matters

The national security case

Drawn from the statement by NENSC Executive Director Jay Tilden on the forthcoming transmittal.

1

Engagement sets the standard

U.S. cooperation establishes stringent nuclear security and nonproliferation standards — reporting indicates terms that surpass a standard Section 123 agreement.

2

Decades of U.S. influence

Institutional and commercial linkages ensure U.S. involvement across the 80–100 year life of the Saudi nuclear energy program.

3

Countering Russia and China

A program built with Russian or Chinese partners would carry none of the stringent nonproliferation obligations that come with U.S. cooperation.

4

The system working as designed

Transmittal opens the 90-day review window Section 123 was built to provide. Congress should evaluate the agreement on its actual provisions.

Background

Understanding 123 agreements

Primer materials on the agreement and the Section 123 review process.

NENSC 123 Agreement Fact Sheet

Key provisions and context on the U.S.–Saudi agreement
Download PDF →

Views from across the field

What others are saying

Independent analysis from across the nonproliferation and national security community.

Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)

Statement on the U.S.–Saudi 123 Agreement
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Atlantic Council

Experts react: Reading between the lines of the new U.S.–Saudi nuclear agreement
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Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Mintz & Sharp: Balancing global uranium enrichment needs and proliferation risks — a framework
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From the coalition

NENSC resources

Statements, convenings, and conversations from NENSC on U.S.–Saudi nuclear cooperation.

Upcoming Webinar — July 31, 2026

U.S. Nuclear Cooperation in an Era of Strategic Competition, with the Center for the National Interest
Register →

Statement from Executive Director Jay Tilden

On the imminent transmittal of the agreement — July 22, 2026
Read →

Past Panel — February 2026

NENSC & CFTNI panel on the impending U.S.–Saudi 123 Agreement
Recap →

Atomically Speaking — U.S.–Saudi Nuclear Cooperation

Imperatives for National Security
Listen →

For Congress & press

Our experts are available

NENSC's Expert Council — former senior officials from across multiple administrations — is available to Congressional offices, press, and the public throughout the review period.

Contact the coalition