US to sign 30-year nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia - Report

The United States is reportedly poised to announce a significant 30-year civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, according to media reports citing US officials. This landmark deal aims to help establish a nuclear program within the kingdom, with potential involvement from US companies in building a uranium enrichment facility.

The agreement comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, particularly with Iran, whose own nuclear program has been a point of contention. The Trump administration is expected to formally sign and announce the deal, which is anticipated to generate billions of dollars for the US nuclear industry. However, the move has already drawn opposition from US lawmakers across the political spectrum and Israeli officials.

Concerns center on the possibility that Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program could eventually be converted for the development of nuclear weapons. Despite these fears, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while declining to confirm the deal, dismissed proliferation risks. "Suffice it to say, the US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation," he told reporters.

Saudi Arabia has consistently asserted its right to pursue a civilian nuclear program. Washington has sought to integrate such an agreement into a broader strategic framework, which includes normalizing ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, alongside a US defense pact. The deal is expected to be submitted to Congress, though its approval is not mandatory for implementation. The region remains volatile, with renewed fighting between the US and Iran, and threats from Iran-aligned Houthi rebels to blockade Saudi ports, raising fears of further destabilization and impact on global oil supply.

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Suffice it to say, the US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation.