Saudi Arabia preparing to grant IAEA more intrusive powers, Grossi says

Saudi Arabia is preparing to give the U.N. nuclear watchdog more intrusive inspection powers, according to International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi. The arrangement would come close to the agency’s Additional Protocol on some points.

That protocol is not included in the planned U.S.-Saudi atomic agreement. It grants the IAEA extra powers, including the ability to carry out snap inspections at undeclared locations.

The United States and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation in July. The deal would allow Riyadh to enrich uranium and build nuclear reactors using U.S. technology.

Non-proliferation groups, including the Arms Control Association, have criticized the planned “123 agreement” because it does not include the Additional Protocol. Grossi said on Monday that something close to the protocol’s provisions is nevertheless being developed.

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something close to it on some points is in the works