The administration of US President Donald Trump is expected to announce an agreement on Wednesday that would allow Saudi Arabia to establish a nuclear programme, according to reports from CBS News. The deal, which could be worth billions of dollars to the United States, may involve American companies building a facility to produce enriched uranium. Enriched uranium can serve as fuel for nuclear power plants but is also a critical component in the creation of nuclear weapons.
The prospect of the agreement has raised alarms among nuclear experts and former officials in Israel, the primary ally of the US in the Middle East. Critics in Israel have expressed concern that the arrangement could ultimately pave the way for Saudi Arabia to build its own nuclear weapon. The White House has been contacted for comment on the matter.
Under the proposed terms, Saudi Arabia and the US would undertake a joint study. Following this, the kingdom could be permitted to enrich uranium on its soil to generate fuel at the US-built facility, rather than relying on imported fuel. This specific provision represents a major shift from a previous nuclear agreement signed by the US in 2009 with the United Arab Emirates. Under that deal, the UAE agreed not to produce its own fuel and accepted various other restrictions. Consequently, the new Saudi agreement is also expected to draw criticism from nuclear non-proliferation advocates who seek to limit the spread of nuclear weapons globally.
Nuclear capabilities have long been a focal point of the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. In February, the US and Israel launched attacks against Iran, stating that their action was intended to prevent Tehran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon—an intention that Iran has repeatedly denied having. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told CBS News that while his country did not intend to acquire nuclear weapons, "without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible."
According to reports, if the joint study concludes and the US objects to uranium enrichment taking place within Saudi Arabia, the kingdom would be barred from doing so independently or with any other foreign partner for a period of 10 years.
Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.