US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement, known as a 123 agreement, in Washington on July 22, 2026. They signed an accompanying bilateral safeguards agreement alongside it.

Together the two agreements set the legal terms for what the US Department of Energy calls a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership between the two countries. The department says the deal advances nuclear nonproliferation along with other economic and strategic goals.

What the 123 agreement covers

The 123 agreement gives American companies access to Saudi Arabia's nuclear energy program. The Department of Energy says that access benefits US industry, workers and supply chains while helping Saudi Arabia meet its own energy needs.

The name comes from Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the law that sets the legal framework the United States uses for civil nuclear cooperation with other countries. The department says the two agreements also uphold nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation standards and strengthen the United States' position in civil nuclear technology.

Wright said the agreements reflect a shared commitment between the two countries, with the deal "delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad." He also said "the American nuclear renaissance is underway" under President Trump.

Where the deal fits

The Department of Energy says the agreement builds on President Trump's executive order on deploying advanced nuclear reactor technologies for national security, specifically Section 8 of that order, which covers promoting American nuclear exports. That section calls for expanding the list of countries that can work with the United States on civil nuclear projects under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act.

The department lists five goals for the partnership:

  • Expand American nuclear technology exports
  • Create high-paying US jobs and long-term economic growth
  • Strengthen America's energy and national security posture
  • Reinforce global nonproliferation standards
  • Deepen the strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia

What's next

The agreement now goes to Congress for review.