Trump sends Saudi civil nuclear agreement to Congress for 90-day review

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has submitted a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for formal review, according to an administration official and other people familiar with the matter who spoke to the Associated Press.

The pact is meant to support the kingdom's civilian nuclear program and, if approved, is expected to last about 30 years and involve U.S. firms after a joint study. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart signed the deal in Washington last month.

The day after that signing, Trump said the agreement would not go forward unless Saudi Arabia normalizes relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords. AP reported that Trump continues to insist on that condition even as the classified review package goes to Capitol Hill. Officials would not say whether the Accords requirement appears in the classified text.

Under U.S. law, Congress has 90 days while in session to review such arrangements, known as 123 agreements. Unless lawmakers pass a joint resolution rejecting the deal during that window, it can take effect without a separate vote in either chamber. AP noted that classifying nearly the entire text is unusual; past 123 agreements were often public with only limited classified annexes.

Civil nuclear cooperation of this type typically covers reactor technology, fuel supply rules and nonproliferation safeguards. Supporters say U.S. firms would gain long contracts if the deal sticks. Critics in Congress have focused on whether any path to domestic uranium enrichment could spur a regional arms race.

Some lawmakers have raised proliferation concerns about any Saudi path to uranium enrichment. Saudi officials have said normalizing ties with Israel would first require a clear path toward Palestinian statehood, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected that framework as untenable for Israel's security. AP said the Saudis were surprised when Trump linked completion of the nuclear pact to joining the Accords.

The Saudi Embassy in Washington had no immediate comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported the formal submission earlier Tuesday. Lawmakers now have the statutory clock to demand more disclosure or try to block the package.