The US-Saudi nuclear deal is a major win for America’s nuclear industry in the face of stiff global competition from Russia and China, but the Middle East country should not be allowed to enrich its own fuel, according to analysts.

Under an agreement signed between the US and Saudi Arabia, US companies would have priority to develop nuclear power plants in the country.

A civil nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia has been in the works for years during both Trump’s first administration and that of former president Joe ⁠Biden. No deal has been finalised before now, in part because of concerns that it could offer Saudi Arabia a path to develop a nuclear weapon.

Reports suggested that a two-year study would be carried out to determine the value of allowing Saudi Arabia to establish its own enrichment facility, leading to fears of proliferation.

Multiple news outlets reported on the potential for Saudi Arabia to host uranium enrichment facilities, but president Donald Trump on 23 July wrote a Truth Social post saying “there will be no enrichment of material”, with no other details or explanation.