Trump's week in review: Saudi Arabia's nuclear deal; data center push; escalating war in Iran

2. Department of Energy signs nuclear agreements with Saudi Arabia

In a statement published Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it had signed a “peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement” and an “accompanying bilateral safeguards agreement” with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy.

“These agreements reflect our two nations’ shared commitment to strengthening U.S.-Saudi commercial relations, delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad,” said Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. 

“Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world’s best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States,” Wright added. Touting the agreement as the “foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership that advances several priority economic and strategic objectives,” the Department of Energy noted that the deal now goes to Congress for review. 

Benefits of the deal outlined by the Department of Energy include “great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program, benefiting American industry, workers, and supply chains while helping to meet Saudi energy needs” and the advancement of “U.S. and regional security by upholding high standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation and strengthening the United States’ competitive edge in civil nuclear energy.”

President Donald Trump shared additional details about the agreement in a Truth Social post published Thursday. He stressed that “there will be no enrichment of material” and that the deal “pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and [United Arab Emirates] (and others) already have.” The president also indicated that approval of the deal is “totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords,” referring to the Middle East peace initiative Trump signed during his first term. 

Tony Perkins, president of the Christian conservative advocacy organization Family Research Council and a former commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, appears hesitant to support the deal given Saudi Arabia's human rights record. 

"This needs prayer," he wrote in an X post Thursday. "It has been announced that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia will enter a nuclear deal that would allow for uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia. There are lots of details yet to be released. However, what we do know about Saudi Arabia has warning lights going off."

"Saudi Arabia is designated as a Country of Particular Concern by the @StateDept for hostility to religious freedom and their human rights record," Perkins added. "Pray for our U.S. leaders to have wisdom as they consider this potential agreement."