Classified documents provided to Congress show that U.S. intelligence agencies assess Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing a nuclear weapons program, according to reporting first published by The Washington Post.
The assessment comes as Congress reviews a new civilian nuclear deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia. According to The New Republic, President Trump signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia in July to build four nuclear plants in the kingdom, and at the time said there would be "no enrichment of material" as part of the deal.
The New Republic reports that the written terms of the deal do not match Trump's public assurance on enrichment, though the outlet's summary of this claim was cut off in the material provided and could not be fully verified.
The New York Times reports that the intelligence assessment examined Saudi Arabia's broader military ambitions as part of the congressional review of the civilian nuclear agreement.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Washington Post first reported that U.S. intelligence assesses Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons.
- The New York Times connected the assessment to Congress's review of a new U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear deal.
- The New Republic noted President Trump signed a July agreement for four nuclear plants in Saudi Arabia and had promised no enrichment of material.
“Saudis have not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, U.S. intelligence assesses” — The Washington Post
Center
- The Times of India reported the classified U.S. assessment warning that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons.
“Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, classified US assessment warns” — The Times of India
Right
- The Jerusalem Post reported that Saudi Arabia may still pursue nuclear arms, based on the U.S. intelligence assessment.
“Saudi Arabia may still pursue nuclear arms, US assessment warns” — The Jerusalem Post
Questions readers ask
What did the U.S. intelligence assessment find about Saudi Arabia?
According to The Washington Post and other outlets, a classified U.S. intelligence assessment provided to Congress found that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons.
Why does this assessment matter now?
It comes as Congress reviews a new civilian nuclear deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia, which President Trump signed in July to build four nuclear plants in the kingdom, according to The New Republic.
Did Trump make any promises about uranium enrichment?
The New Republic reports that Trump said there would be "no enrichment of material" as part of the deal, though the outlet suggests the written agreement may differ from that assurance.
What did left-leaning and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets like The Washington Post and The New York Times focused on the intelligence assessment and its timing alongside the congressional review of the nuclear deal, while The Jerusalem Post, a right-leaning outlet, emphasized that Saudi Arabia may still pursue nuclear arms.
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- The New RepublicLeft-leaningThere’s Another Nukes Problem in the Middle East, Classified Docs Say
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningSaudi Arabia Open to Possibly Developing Nuclear Weapons
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningSaudis have not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, U.S. intelligence assesses
- The Times of IndiaCenterSaudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, classified US assessment warns
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningSaudi Arabia may still pursue nuclear arms, US assessment warns