WASHINGTON: The United States is expected to announce a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, according to multiple media reports, marking a significant step in bilateral energy cooperation.
According to Reuters and The New York Times, the Trump administration plans to submit the agreement, known as a 123 Agreement, to Congress in the coming days. The pact, signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, would allow US companies to support the development of Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme.
The agreement is expected to remain in force for 30 years and could permit American firms to build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia if a joint feasibility study determines such a facility is justified. The administration has said the deal would generate billions of dollars in business for the US nuclear industry.
Why has the deal drawn scrutiny?
According to Reuters, the agreement does not include non-proliferation safeguards that previous US administrations considered necessary to prevent civilian nuclear technology from being diverted to weapons programmes.
The reported omission has raised concerns among some US lawmakers from both political parties, as well as Israeli officials, who argue that Saudi Arabia’s nuclear capabilities could eventually be used for military purposes.
Under US law, the agreement will be submitted to Congress for review, but congressional approval is not required for it to take effect.
The expected announcement comes amid renewed regional tensions, including recent exchanges between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement, as well as continued instability following the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.