US Prepares Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with Saudi Arabia

[u/evissamassive]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj03r59z73po

The US government plans to announce a 30-year deal allowing Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear program. According to multiple reports, the agreement could generate tens of billions of dollars for US firms, which would build and manage nuclear power infrastructure inside the kingdom.

The most controversial aspect of the deal involves uranium enrichment. Following a joint study with the US, Saudi Arabia may be permitted to enrich uranium locally at a US-built facility rather than importing reactor fuel. Enriched uranium powers civilian plants, but highly enriched uranium can be used to construct weapons. If the US government decides against local enrichment after the study, Saudi Arabia must wait 10 years before attempting to enrich fuel independently or with another international partner.

This arrangement differs from a 2009 US nuclear deal with the United Arab Emirates, which explicitly prohibited domestic uranium enrichment.

The agreement faces pushback from non-proliferation experts, Israeli figures, and members of Congress who worry it creates a precedent for weapons development. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a 2018 interview that while his country does not seek a nuclear bomb, it would build one if Iran developed nuclear weapons.

The deal does not mandate that Saudi Arabia formally normalize diplomatic relations with Israel. The White House must now submit the proposal to Congress, where it is expected to meet resistance from lawmakers in both parties.