President Trump Approves Nuclear Deal With Saudi Arabia

The deal could allow for the building of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia following a joint U.S.-Saudi study.

President Trump has approved an agreement with Saudi Arabia. It could potentially provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program.

The deal is expected to last 30 years and is also expected to involve U.S. firms in developing the program. The deal could allow for the building of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia following a joint U.S.-Saudi study.

The deal is expected to be submitted to Congress for review. It could face backlash among lawmakers who fear that helping Saudis fulfill their long-standing desire to enrich their own uranium would open new rounds of nuclear proliferation and competition.

Saudi Arabia is a member state of the International Atomic Energy Agency. That agency promotes peaceful nuclear work but also inspects nations to ensure they don’t have atomic weapons programs. But, the agreement is not expected to include the IAEA’s additional protocol.