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US agrees to provide nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia in major diplomatic win

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The United States is set to announce a deal to provide nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia, a major diplomatic win for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
  • The agreement, which has been in the works for over five years, aims to diversify Saudi Arabia's oil-dependent economy but raises concerns about a potential nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
  • This deal, reached amid tensions between the U.S. and Iran, could strengthen bilateral ties and deepen Saudi reliance on the U.S., though it may anger Iran and Israel.

The United States is poised to finalize an agreement to supply Saudi Arabia with nuclear technology, marking a significant diplomatic achievement for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after more than five years of persistent efforts. This civilian nuclear program has been a key objective for the de facto ruler as he seeks to diversify the kingdom's oil-reliant economy.

However, the negotiations have been protracted due to persistent concerns from U.S. officials and experts about Saudi Arabia potentially using the technology to develop nuclear weapons, thereby triggering a new arms race in the volatile Middle East. The anticipated deal emerges against a backdrop of heightened U.S.-Iran conflict and strained U.S.-Saudi alliance, potentially steering relations back to a more stable course and increasing Saudi dependence on the U.S. for decades to come.

achieving this agreement is a "feat" for Saudi Arabia, especially since it now seems decoupled from whether Saudi Arabia recognizes Israel.

— Bader Al-SaifBader Al-Saif, a professor in the history department at Kuwait University, commented on the significance of the deal for Saudi Arabia.

This development comes after a period of friction in May, when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly denied U.S. aircraft passage through Saudi airspace for operations in the Strait of Hormuz. The nuclear agreement is considered a "feat" for Saudi Arabia, particularly as it appears decoupled from the condition of Saudi recognition of Israel. Previous Biden administration efforts had linked the nuclear deal to a broader security package, including Israeli recognition, a prospect that dimmed significantly with the Gaza conflict.

Saudi officials have consistently sought to separate nuclear talks from normalization with Israel. Under a potential second Trump administration, nuclear negotiations resumed with Israel's role considerably downplayed. The deal, which has been years in the making and predates the Trump administration, highlights U.S. dominance in nuclear technology but also risks escalating regional tensions with Iran and Israel, further destabilizing the regional power balance. While the agreement requires U.S. congressional approval, passage is considered highly probable, as overturning the initiative would necessitate a two-thirds majority, a difficult threshold to reach.

the U.S. has the undisputed 'gold standard' in nuclear technology.

— Bader Al-SaifBader Al-Saif, a professor in the history department at Kuwait University, commented on the U.S. position in nuclear technology.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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