US, Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Civil Nuclear Cooperation Deal

The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark agreement that will allow the Gulf kingdom to move forward with the development of a civilian nuclear programme.

The agreement has been described by the US Department of Energy as a "peaceful nuclear co-operation agreement" that will provide "great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program."

Although the full text of the agreement has not been made public, US media reports indicate that it could eventually allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium. Enriched uranium is commonly used as fuel for nuclear power plants, but it can also be used in the production of nuclear weapons.

The US Department of Energy also confirmed that a bilateral safeguards agreement was signed alongside the cooperation deal.

According to the department, the two agreements "lay the legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership" that supports several economic and strategic priorities, including efforts to strengthen nuclear nonproliferation.

Saudi Arabia Says Deal Expands Existing Energy Cooperation

Saudi Arabia also welcomed the agreement, stating that it "represents an extension of existing co-operation between the two countries in the energy sector."

Read More: Massive Fire Reported in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia After Missile Alerts

The Saudi government noted that the agreement follows the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington last November.

Reports Say Israel Recognition Was Not Required

According to US media reports, President Donald Trump did not require Saudi Arabia to officially recognise Israel as part of the agreement.

Previous US administrations had linked such a nuclear agreement to Saudi Arabia establishing diplomatic and economic ties with Israel. However, those reports suggest that the condition was not included in this latest deal.

Agreement Comes During Rising Regional Tensions

The announcement comes as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.

Fighting between the United States and Iran has intensified, while Saudi Arabia, a long-time US ally, hosts several American military bases that have recently been targeted by Iranian attacks.

The agreement was also announced two days after Yemen's Houthi movement declared a "maritime blockade" against Saudi Arabia.

Uranium Enrichment Could Become Part of the Programme

While the agreement does not publicly detail Saudi Arabia's future nuclear activities, earlier media reports suggested that, following a joint study with the United States, the kingdom may eventually be allowed to enrich uranium on its own territory.

The reports indicate that the enriched fuel could be produced at a US-built enrichment facility instead of being imported from abroad.

Such a project could be worth billions of dollars, with American companies expected to play a major role in constructing and operating the required facilities.

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said: "Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world's best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States."

The US Department of Energy added that the agreement supports both US and regional security while maintaining high standards of nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation, and strengthening the country's competitiveness in civilian nuclear technology.

Experts Raise Concerns Over Uranium Enrichment

Several nuclear experts and former Israeli officials have expressed concern that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium could eventually provide the country with the ability to develop nuclear weapons.

Many experts also noted that such a process would likely take decades and would face significant international opposition.

Rosemary Kelanic, Director of the Middle East Programme at the US-based Defense Priorities think tank, described the reported enrichment provision as "quite shocking."

She said the United States has never before helped another country develop uranium enrichment capabilities on its own soil.

Kelanic explained that producing domestic nuclear fuel increases the potential risk because the same technology could eventually be used in weapons development.

Congress Will Review the Agreement

The agreement will now be submitted to the US Congress for review.

Some lawmakers from both political parties are expected to oppose the deal, although President Trump's Republican Party currently controls both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected concerns that the agreement could contribute to nuclear weapons development.

He told reporters during a visit to the Philippines: "The US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation."

Democrats Criticise the Agreement

Several Democratic lawmakers questioned the agreement, pointing out that Rubio had previously supported the "No Nuclear Weapons for Saudi Arabia Act" while serving as a senator. That legislation required congressional approval for any nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia.

Massachusetts Democratic Senator Edward Markey criticised both Rubio and President Trump.

Markey said: "They are allowing Saudi Arabia, a belligerent and authoritarian nation, to develop nuclear weapons technologies while starting a war with Iran under the guise of preventing an Iranian nuclear bomb."

Different From UAE Nuclear Agreement

If the agreement includes uranium enrichment rights, it would differ significantly from the nuclear cooperation agreement signed between the United States and the United Arab Emirates in 2009.

Under the UAE agreement, the country does not produce its own nuclear fuel and accepted additional restrictions designed to limit nuclear proliferation risks.

Because of this difference, nuclear non-proliferation campaigners are also expected to closely examine the new Saudi agreement.

Saudi Arabia Pursued the Deal for Years

Saudi Arabia has sought a civilian nuclear agreement with the United States under multiple US presidents.

For years, Washington maintained that Saudi Arabia should recognise Israel and establish diplomatic and economic relations before such a deal could move forward.

According to recent US media reports, that requirement appears to have been removed.

President Trump has strengthened relations with Saudi Arabia during his time in office.

Reports also suggest that ongoing discussions involving Russia and China over similar nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia may have influenced the timing of the US agreement.

Agreement Could Reshape the Region

The agreement is considered a major diplomatic and strategic achievement for Saudi Arabia and could influence the balance of power across the Middle East over the coming years, although its effects are not expected to be immediate.

The issue of nuclear technology has remained central to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.

The United States and Israel have said that one reason for launching attacks on Iran in February was to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon, an accusation that Iran has consistently denied.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a 2018 interview with CBS News that Saudi Arabia was not seeking nuclear weapons.

However, he also stated: "Without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible."