The United States is expected to announce a landmark agreement with Saudi Arabia that would allow the Gulf kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear programme, according to US media reports.
The announcement is expected on Wednesday by President Donald Trump’s administration. Officials cited by US media say the agreement could be worth billions of dollars. American companies could potentially help build a facility to produce enriched uranium.
Under the reported arrangement, Saudi Arabia would conduct a joint study with the US. This comes before being allowed to enrich uranium on its own soil at a US-built facility. The enriched uranium would be used as fuel for civilian nuclear power plants, although the process can also produce material used in nuclear weapons.
The proposal has raised concerns among nuclear experts and former Israeli officials. They fear it could eventually enable Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons.
According to the Wall Street Journal, if the US opposes enrichment after the joint study, Saudi Arabia would be barred from pursuing enrichment independently or with another foreign partner for 10 years.
The agreement is expected to last 30 years and will be submitted to the US Congress. There some lawmakers from both parties are expected to oppose it.
The New York Times reported that the deal is not tied to Saudi Arabia normalising diplomatic relations with Israel. This comes despite long-standing US efforts to encourage such an agreement.
READ ALSO: https://alo360.net/ukrainian-drones-strike-wildberries-warehouses-again/
