Donald Trump has approved a landmark nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that could allow the kingdom to enrich its own uranium — a move that has sparked fierce opposition from Israel and raised fears of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
The US energy secretary, Chris Wright, and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, signed a "peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement" and an accompanying bilateral safeguards accord on Wednesday, according to a statement from the US Department of Energy. The deal, described as a "decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership," will give American companies "great access" to Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme.
“Trump signs deal allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, sparking Israeli warnings of a nuclear arms race.”
It includes a provision that could allow the Gulf kingdom to build a uranium enrichment facility on its soil after a joint US-Saudi study, marking a shift in longstanding US non-proliferation policy. The agreement is expected to last 30 years and involve US firms such as Westinghouse, according to reports.
But the timing is controversial. The US is currently at war with Iran in part to prevent Tehran from enriching uranium domestically. Nuclear experts and former Israeli officials voiced concern that the plan could ultimately lead to Saudi Arabia acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett called the pact a "grave strategic failure that endangers our security." Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right-wing opposition Yisrael Beytenu party, warned: "Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program will end in nuclear weapons and lead to a mad arms race across the entire Middle East." He said Israel must oppose it "with all our might."
The agreement does not require Saudi Arabia to normalise relations with Israel, a condition the Biden administration had sought. Saudi Arabia has previously said it would need a nuclear weapon if Iran acquired one, an intention Iran has repeatedly denied.
The deal will now be sent to Congress for review, where it may face opposition from lawmakers concerned about monitoring safeguards. It is likely to lack the enhanced International Atomic Energy Agency inspections included in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
Chris Wright insisted the 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." He added: "Thanks to President Trump, the American nuclear renaissance is underway."
The pact distinguishes Saudi Arabia from the United Arab Emirates, which signed a similar deal in 2009 agreeing not to produce its own fuel. Non-proliferation campaigners are expected to voice concern, as the ultimate aim is to prevent an increase in the number of nuclear weapons worldwide.