According to media reports, the US government intends to present an agreement with Saudi Arabia designed to assist in the development of a civil nuclear program in the Gulf state. The New York Times reported, citing two government officials, that the contract with the Kingdom is set to be officially signed on Wednesday. The Wall Street Journal reported that the 30-year agreement provides for, among other things, the construction of a uranium enrichment facility in the Gulf state, should the need arise.
A potential agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia—a rival of Iran—has been under discussion for some time. US President Donald Trump expects it to generate billions of dollars in contracts for the US nuclear industry.
Some US lawmakers and Israel have previously expressed concerns regarding this cooperation. They fear that the development of a civil nuclear program could be used to create nuclear weapons.
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The plan is expected to be submitted to Congress in the coming days; however, congressional approval is not required.
Amid the conflict with Iran, Saudi Arabia has repeatedly come under attack from Iranian territory. Recently, the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen also attacked an airport in Saudi Arabia and announced a naval blockade against the neighboring country. Saudi Arabia does not currently possess any nuclear power plants.
Saudi Arabia insists on its right to pursue a civil nuclear program. In recent years, the US has sought to incorporate a potential nuclear agreement into a broader framework that would also include the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The US signed a nuclear agreement with the United Arab Emirates in 2009.
There have long been fears that Iran’s production of a nuclear weapon would trigger an arms race across the Gulf region. Amid the conflict between the US and Iran, concerns are growing that the situation could further destabilize the region.
Author: AFP – mhe/cp
Sources: AFP Press Portal