Here’s what happened.
Families of Americans killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks are putting new pressure on President Donald Trump as his administration pursues a major civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia.
For some 9/11 families, the issue goes far beyond energy policy.
They argue that unanswered questions surrounding possible Saudi connections to individuals involved in the September 11, 2001, attacks should be addressed before Washington expands sensitive nuclear cooperation with the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has consistently denied that its government was involved in the attacks.
Now, the dispute is drawing renewed attention in Washington as lawmakers demand greater transparency from the Trump administration over the terms of the Saudi nuclear agreement.
9/11 Families Turn Up Pressure on Trump
Terry Strada, chair of 9/11 Families United, has been among the most outspoken advocates pressing Washington for answers.
Strada lost her husband, Thomas, who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald, in the attack on the World Trade Center.
She and other relatives of victims have spent years seeking additional information about alleged Saudi connections to people associated with the hijackers.
Fifteen of the 19 September 11 hijackers were Saudi citizens. Victims’ families have also pursued long-running litigation against Saudi Arabia over allegations that Saudi officials or agents provided assistance connected to the plot.
Saudi Arabia rejects allegations that its government was complicit.
The dispute has now become intertwined with Trump’s proposed expansion of U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation.
Saudi Nuclear Agreement Faces Scrutiny
The Trump administration has submitted a proposed civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress.
The arrangement, commonly known as a Section 123 agreement, could provide a legal framework allowing American companies to participate in Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear-energy industry.
The agreement does not give Saudi Arabia nuclear weapons.
However, nuclear cooperation agreements receive substantial scrutiny because of concerns involving uranium enrichment, nuclear technology and the prevention of weapons proliferation.
Reuters reported on September 16 that the proposed agreement is undergoing congressional review and could potentially be challenged through the review process established under federal law.
For the families pressing for more information about September 11, that congressional review has created another opportunity to demand action.
Senators Demand Release of Secret Saudi Deal Documents
The controversy intensified after a bipartisan group of senators called on the administration to release two classified side letters connected to the Saudi nuclear agreement.
Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Jeff Merkley of Oregon led the request, which was joined by lawmakers from both parties, including Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and John Kennedy of Louisiana.
The senators say the classified letters affect the obligations and operation of the underlying nuclear agreement and argue that Congress and the public cannot completely evaluate the deal without reviewing them.
The lawmakers formally requested that the Trump administration declassify and publicly release the documents.
The request adds another layer of scrutiny to an already sensitive agreement involving one of America’s most important — and frequently debated — relationships in the Middle East.
Trump Asked to Release More 9/11 Records
At the same time, victims’ families continue calling for additional government records concerning possible Saudi connections to September 11.
Trump addressed those demands earlier this month.
On September 13, the president said he would consider requests to release more 9/11-related records involving possible links between individuals connected with the attacks and Saudi Arabia.
That came during renewed attention surrounding the 25th anniversary of September 11.
For families who have pursued answers for decades, however, additional documents represent only one part of the larger dispute.
Some advocates want Washington to use its diplomatic relationship with Saudi Arabia to press the kingdom directly over allegations they believe remain unresolved.
Saudi officials continue to deny government responsibility.
A Decades-Long Legal Fight Continues
The disagreement has also played out in American courts.
Victims and relatives have spent years pursuing claims against Saudi Arabia over alleged assistance provided to individuals connected to the September 11 plot.
The legal battle gained additional significance following passage of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, commonly known as JASTA, which expanded the circumstances under which foreign governments could face lawsuits in American courts over terrorism-related claims.
The families’ allegations remain contested, and Saudi Arabia has repeatedly denied complicity in the attacks.
That distinction is important: allegations made by victims’ families and their attorneys are not the same as a final judicial determination establishing that the Saudi government directed or participated in the September 11 attacks.
Nuclear Safeguards Become Another Flashpoint
Separate from the 9/11 dispute, lawmakers are examining what restrictions would apply to Saudi Arabia’s nuclear activities under the proposed agreement.
Reuters reports that critics have questioned whether the arrangement contains sufficiently strong limitations on uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing.
Those issues matter because civilian nuclear programs can involve technology and materials with national-security implications.
Critics have compared the Saudi proposal with America’s 2009 nuclear cooperation agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which contained particularly restrictive nonproliferation provisions.
Supporters of expanded U.S.-Saudi cooperation point to economic opportunities for American nuclear companies and the strategic importance of maintaining close relations with Riyadh.
Congress will now have an opportunity to examine those competing concerns.
Trump Honors 9/11 Victims on 25th Anniversary
The clash with some victims’ families comes as Trump has publicly emphasized remembrance of those killed on September 11.
In his 2026 Patriot Day proclamation, Trump ordered American flags flown at half-staff in honor of the 2,977 victims and called on the country to renew its commitment to “Never Forget.”
The White House also highlighted Trump’s participation in events honoring September 11 victims and first responders ahead of the 25th anniversary.
That makes the current disagreement particularly significant.
The dispute is not about whether the victims should be remembered. Instead, it centers on what additional steps the federal government should take concerning Saudi Arabia, classified records and the families’ continuing search for answers.
9/11 Families Want Accountability
For Strada and other advocates, the approaching nuclear partnership gives the United States leverage that they believe should not be ignored.
Their argument is straightforward: before America enters a deeper nuclear relationship with Saudi Arabia, they want unanswered questions concerning September 11 addressed as fully as possible.
Saudi Arabia strongly disputes allegations of government involvement, while the families continue pursuing their claims through the courts and through pressure on elected officials.
Trump therefore faces several issues at once: America’s strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, nuclear nonproliferation concerns, congressional demands for transparency and the continuing campaign by families who lost loved ones on September 11.
More than 25 years after the attacks, the debate shows no sign of disappearing.
And as Congress examines the Saudi nuclear agreement, the families’ long-running demand for answers is once again becoming part of a major national-security debate in Washington.
