U.S. and Saudi Arabia to unveil civilian nuclear cooperation agreement
Washington plans to announce a 30-year deal that would let Saudi Arabia develop a civilian nuclear program, including possible domestic uranium enrichment, prompting scrutiny from Israel, U.S. lawmakers and non-proliferation groups.
Washington is set to announce a bilateral agreement that would enable Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear programme, officials said. The deal, approved by the president, is expected to be presented on Wednesday and would span 30 years. Under the terms, a joint study would determine whether Saudi Arabia could operate a U.S.-built enrichment facility on its territory to produce fuel for power plants, rather than relying on imports.
The arrangement differs from a 2009 U.S.-UAE pact, which barred the UAE from domestic enrichment. If the United States later objects to enrichment in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom would be prohibited from pursuing it independently or with another partner for a decade, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Israeli nuclear experts and former officials have expressed concern that the programme could eventually enable Saudi Arabia to acquire nuclear weapons. Non-proliferation advocates also warned that the deal might increase the risk of nuclear proliferation.
The proposal will be forwarded to Congress, where some legislators from both parties are expected to oppose it, despite the Republican majority in both chambers.
"If Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible," Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told CBS News in 2018.