Washington plans to announce nuclear agreement with Riyadh, US media reports

The United States is poised to announce a significant nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, granting the kingdom a civilian nuclear program. This deal, reported by U.S. media citing unnamed officials, is expected to be formally signed and revealed imminently.

The agreement, slated to last 30 years, reportedly includes provisions for American companies to construct a uranium enrichment facility within Saudi Arabia, contingent on a joint study. The U.S. administration views the deal as a substantial boost for its domestic nuclear industry, projecting billions of dollars in revenue.

However, the agreement has raised proliferation concerns among arms control advocates and some U.S. lawmakers. Sources familiar with the deal indicate it may not include the "Gold Standard" provisions that would prevent Saudi Arabia from enriching uranium or reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, both potential pathways to nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the agreement reportedly omits the "Additional Protocol," which mandates broader oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency, including snap inspections at undeclared sites.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously stated that if Iran were to develop a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would follow suit. This stance fuels apprehension about the potential for a nuclear arms race in the region, particularly given the reported limitations on safeguards within the new U.S.-Saudi agreement.