US President Donald Trump has approved a long-awaited civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could eventually allow the kingdom to enrich uranium for its nuclear energy programme, according to two people familiar with the decision.
The agreement, which has yet to be officially announced, could be unveiled as early as Wednesday. It is expected to remain in effect for 30 years and would pave the way for US companies to participate in the development of Saudi Arabia`s civilian nuclear sector.
According to the sources, the deal also includes plans to study the feasibility of building a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia. Any decision to proceed with such a facility would depend on the outcome of a joint US-Saudi assessment.
Before taking effect, the proposal must be submitted to the US Congress, where lawmakers are expected to closely examine provisions related to uranium enrichment. Critics have warned that allowing Saudi Arabia to develop domestic enrichment capabilities could heighten nuclear proliferation risks and encourage a regional arms race.
Saudi Arabia is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which oversees the peaceful use of nuclear technology. However, one source said the proposed agreement is not expected to require Riyadh to adopt the IAEA`s Additional Protocol, an arrangement that grants inspectors broader authority to verify that nuclear activities remain exclusively civilian.
The reported approval comes as tensions over nuclear activities in the Middle East remain high following recent US and Israeli strikes targeting Iran`s nuclear infrastructure. Tehran continues to insist its uranium enrichment programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes.
Neither the White House nor Saudi officials immediately commented on the reported agreement. The Wall Street Journal first reported Trump`s decision.
Successive US administrations have sought a civilian nuclear partnership with Saudi Arabia that would allow the kingdom to access American nuclear technology while maintaining safeguards against weapons development.
Despite those efforts, non-proliferation experts have consistently argued that domestic uranium enrichment could provide Saudi Arabia with the technical capability to pursue nuclear weapons in the future. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously stated that the kingdom would seek nuclear weapons if Iran were to acquire one.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Saudi Arabia last year to discuss expanding cooperation in the commercial nuclear sector, although the Department of Energy has not commented on the latest development.
Analysts also note that Saudi Arabia`s growing defence ties with nuclear-armed Pakistan are likely to intensify international scrutiny of any future enrichment programme.
Although uranium enrichment is widely used to produce fuel for civilian nuclear reactors, the same technology can also be used to produce weapons-grade material if enriched to much higher levels.
By comparison, the United Arab Emirates developed its Barakah nuclear power plant under a "123 agreement" with the United States that prohibits domestic uranium enrichment, a model widely regarded by non-proliferation experts as the global standard for civilian nuclear cooperation.
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