Brett Eagleson, whose father was killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, told Newsmax on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia should not receive U.S. nuclear assistance until it acknowledges and is held accountable for its alleged role in the attacks.
Appearing on Newsmax's "Greg Kelly Reports," Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, said he recognizes Saudi Arabia's strategic importance to the United States and does not oppose cooperation between the countries generally.
"The Saudi Arabia of 2001 is a completely different Saudi Arabia than currently there is today," Eagleson said. "However, that should not exonerate the sins of Saudi Arabia's past."
His comments came as the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement that could allow the kingdom to enrich uranium domestically. The 30-year agreement, signed by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, must undergo congressional review.
Eagleson said the agreement should not move forward while Saudi Arabia faces a civil lawsuit alleging that government employees assisted the hijackers responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
"Saudi Arabia cannot be at trial for murder of 3,000 Americans while at the same time we're contemplating a nuclear deal for Saudi Arabia," Eagleson said. "What needs to happen is Saudi Arabia needs to be held to account for its role in 9/11."
A federal judge in August 2025 denied Saudi Arabia's motion to dismiss the lawsuit, allowing claims brought by victims' families, survivors, and others to proceed toward trial.
The judge said the plaintiffs had presented reasonable evidence that Saudi nationals Omar al-Bayoumi and Fahad al-Thumairy were acting for the kingdom when they allegedly assisted two of the hijackers. The ruling addressed whether the court had jurisdiction and did not determine Saudi Arabia's ultimate liability.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly denied that its government or officials were involved in the attacks.
Eagleson called on President Donald Trump to use the nuclear negotiations to press Saudi officials for accountability and cooperation with the families.
Eagleson said Saudi Arabia should receive "no nukes, no nuclear energy" until it is held accountable for its alleged role in the Sept. 11 attacks.
Eagleson said Trump has an opportunity to help end what he called a decadeslong "nightmare" for the families as the 25th anniversary of the attacks approaches.
"We want that commander in chief to be the one to broker this peace, to be the one to broker an end to the nightmare for the 9/11 community," he said. "Bring us justice for the 25th anniversary of 9/11."
Eagleson also discussed newly publicized evidence involving al-Bayoumi, whom the families allege was a Saudi intelligence asset who helped hijackers Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar after they arrived in California.
A video recorded by al-Bayoumi before the attacks shows him filming the U.S. Capitol and other Washington landmarks. Eagleson characterized the recording as surveillance of a potential target, saying al-Bayoumi discussed the building's structure, entrances, and exits and referred to reporting back to others.
"He's casing the U.S. Capitol," Eagleson said.
Eagleson noted that United Airlines Flight 93, which passengers and crew members brought down in Pennsylvania, is believed to have been headed toward either the Capitol or the White House.
"This just isn't any ordinary Saudi tourist," Eagleson said of al-Bayoumi. "This is somebody who the FBI says was an intelligence asset to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
The families also have pointed to an airplane drawing and mathematical calculations found in one of al-Bayoumi's notebooks. Eagleson said investigators concluded the calculations appeared to describe a rudimentary method for descending an aircraft toward a target.
A federal judge cited al-Bayoumi's drawing and formula among evidence supporting an inference that his activities were connected to the attacks, although al-Bayoumi has denied knowingly assisting the hijackers.
Eagleson called on Saudi Arabia to turn al-Bayoumi over to the United States.
"Saudi Arabia ought to surrender this man to us," Eagleson said.
"Let him face justice. Let him face trial."
He said the families have received little response from U.S. officials despite repeatedly raising questions about the evidence and why it remained undisclosed for so long.
"Why has it taken 25 years for this video to come out?" Eagleson asked. "Why have we not held this man accountable?"
Eagleson said Trump, who has frequently described himself as a peacemaker and negotiator, could secure both a stronger relationship with the modern Saudi government and accountability for its alleged past conduct.
"Let's work together with Saudi Arabia in a positive way. But none of that should be allowed to happen," he said.
"No nukes until, no nuclear energy until, they are held accountable for their role in nine over 11."
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