特朗普政府与沙特阿拉伯达成民用核合作协议，放弃了美国长期以来的核心要求[1]。根据协议内容，沙特无需与以色列实现关系正常化即可获得美国民用核技术[1]。这一转变标志着美国政策的重大调整，过去美国曾坚持将核技术转让与中东和平进展挂钩。
协议为沙特提供了显著的核技术权限[1]。沙特获准在本土进行铀浓缩[1]，这在以往的美国核协议中较为罕见。与此不同的是，该协议不包含国际原子能机构(IAEA)的严格检查措施，这与美国2009年与阿联酋签署的核协议有明显区别[1]。根据计划，沙特可能需要十年或更长时间才能建成并开放新的核电站[1]。
这份协议在美国和中东引发了严重关切[1]。以色列议员阿维格多·利伯曼警告称，"沙特民用核计划[将]导致整个中东的疯狂军备竞赛"[1]。民主党众议员罗·坎纳表示，"这项协议是对沙特的让步，只会助长伊朗的野心，进一步破坏地区稳定"[1]。
特朗普政府为协议进行了辩护[1]。能源部长克里斯·赖特声称该协议"将提升美国经济并加强国家安全"[1]。
The Trump administration has signed a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that drops a longstanding U.S. condition requiring the kingdom to normalize relations with Israel before gaining access to American nuclear technology. [1]
Under the accord, Saudi Arabia is permitted to conduct uranium enrichment domestically and can acquire U.S. civilian nuclear capabilities without making concessions toward Israel. [1] The agreement notably lacks the strict International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection measures that were included in the 2009 U.S. nuclear deal with the United Arab Emirates. [1]
The deal has drawn sharp criticism both domestically and from Israel. Israeli lawmaker Avigdor Lieberman warned that "Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program [will] lead to a nuclear arms race throughout the Middle East." [1] Democratic Representative Ro Khanna described the agreement as "a capitulation to Saudi Arabia that will only embolden Iranian ambitions and further destabilize the region." [1]
Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the accord, stating it "will strengthen the U.S. economy and enhance national security." [1] Saudi Arabia is expected to require a decade or longer to construct and open new nuclear power facilities under the agreement. [1]