US announces nuclear cooperation pact with Saudi Arabia

A key issue is whether Washington might agree to build a uranium enrichment facility on Saudi territory, when it might do so, and whether Saudi personnel might have access to it or it would be run solely by US staff in a “black box” arrangement.

Without rigorous safeguards built into an agreement, Saudi Arabia, which has uranium ore reserves on its territory, could theoretically use an enrichment facility to produce highly enriched uranium, which, if purified enough, can yield fissile material for bombs.

A source told Reuters news agency the US-Saudi agreement provides a legal pathway for cooperation on the nuclear fuel cycle, which includes uranium enrichment, but does not oblige Washington to transfer any related technology or capabilities to the kingdom.

There are diplomatic issues too: Washington’s top regional ally Israel has repeatedly voiced opposition to the idea of a Saudi civil nuclear programme.

Trump’s administration has said the agreement would provide billions of dollars for the US nuclear industry.

A provision in the 30-year deal would potentially see US companies build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The deal is expected to be submitted to Congress in the coming days, but its approval is not required for it to go through.