- Trump reportedly approves a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, paving the way for the kingdom to develop nuclear power.
- The US is set to announce a deal allowing Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear power for the first time, with an official announcement expected later today.
- The deal includes a commercial agreement for US companies to run nuclear power plants on Saudi soil, and may allow the Saudis to enrich their own fuel for nuclear reactors.
- Saudi Arabia may be allowed to enrich uranium itself rather than relying on imported fuel, at a US-built uranium enrichment facility within Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia are set to announce a significant nuclear agreement that will enable the kingdom to develop nuclear power for the first time. This deal, which is expected to last 30 years, will allow U.S. companies to operate nuclear power plants in Saudi Arabia.12
According to reports, the agreement may also permit Saudi Arabia to enrich its own uranium for nuclear reactors, a move that raises concerns about potential nuclear weapon development. Nuclear experts and former officials in Israel have expressed worries that this capability could lead to Saudi Arabia pursuing a nuclear weapon, similar to concerns surrounding Iran's nuclear program.
The deal, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, represents a key difference from the U.S.'s nuclear agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which does not allow for domestic enrichment. An official announcement is anticipated later today, marking a pivotal moment in U.S.-Saudi relations and regional nuclear dynamics.
“This would reportedly take place at a US-built uranium enrichment facility within Saudi Arabia,” a regional official familiar with the agreement told CBS News. The implications of this agreement could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East, as Saudi Arabia seeks to enhance its energy independence and technological capabilities.
“The deal includes a commercial agreement for US companies to operate nuclear plants on Saudi soil and may permit Saudi Arabia to enrich its own uranium at a US-built facility, a provision that differs from the earlier US-UAE nuclear pact. An official announcement is expected later today.”
BBC
