Riyadh: A preliminary agreement is set to be signed by the United States and Saudi Arabia, fostering collaboration on the kingdom’s goals to establish a civil nuclear industry, as stated by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright during his visit to Riyadh on Sunday.

Following his meeting with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman earlier that day, Wright indicated that Riyadh and Washington are progressing towards an arrangement for joint efforts in developing a Saudi civil nuclear program.

Wright’s visit to the kingdom, his first as secretary, is part of a broader tour of energy-producing Gulf countries. He mentioned that further details regarding a memorandum outlining energy cooperation between Riyadh and Washington will be disclosed later in the year.

He stated that a 123 agreement would be essential for a US partnership and involvement in nuclear energy in Saudi Arabia, adding that there are various ways to structure a deal to fulfill both Saudi and American objectives.

The 123 agreement with Riyadh pertains to Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which is necessary for the US government and American companies to collaborate with entities in the kingdom to advance a civil nuclear industry.

Wright noted that Saudi authorities have not yet agreed to the requirements outlined in the act, which includes nine non-proliferation criteria to prevent the use of technology for developing nuclear arms or transferring sensitive materials.

Discussions had been challenging as Saudi Arabia was hesitant to sign a deal that would preclude the possibility of enriching uranium or reprocessing spent fuel, both potential pathways to creating nuclear weapons.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously stated that Saudi Arabia would pursue nuclear weapons if Iran were to develop them, raising concerns among arms control advocates and US lawmakers regarding a potential US-Saudi civil nuclear deal.

Wright did not mention a broader arrangement that the previous US administration had been pursuing, which included a civil nuclear agreement and security guarantees aimed at normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, aims to generate substantial renewable energy and reduce emissions as part of Crown Prince’s Vision 2030 reform plan, with nuclear energy expected to contribute to this goal.