Members of Congress reacted sharply along party lines to the White House's newly announced nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, with Democrats warning it risks fuelling a nuclear arms race in the Middle East while Republicans defended it as a necessary reinforcement of regional alliances. The disagreement highlights broader tensions over how far the Trump administration should go in expanding nuclear technology-sharing with Gulf partners, and comes amid wider debate about US strategy and stability in the region.

Democratic lawmakers voiced concern that supporting Saudi Arabia's nuclear ambitions could set a precedent that destabilises the Middle East and prompts rival states to pursue their own nuclear programmes in response. Republicans countered that maintaining close strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia is essential to US interests in the region, framing the deal as a pragmatic move to strengthen alliances rather than a proliferation risk. The article does not detail the specific terms of the nuclear cooperation agreement itself.