Donald Trump approved a 30-year agreement to provide Saudi Arabia with uranium enrichment capabilities for its civilian nuclear program.
Donald Trump approved a long-term agreement to help Saudi Arabia develop uranium enrichment capabilities for its civilian nuclear program. The deal, which is expected to last 30 years, will involve American firms and may lead to the construction of a dedicated enrichment facility in the kingdom. The administration announced the move as part of a broader effort to expand the kingdom's commercial nuclear power industry. While the agreement focuses on civilian use, non-proliferation experts warn that the ability to enrich uranium could eventually pave the way for Saudi Arabia to develop its own nuclear weapons. This development comes as the U.S. and Israel continue their efforts to limit Iran's nuclear capabilities. The agreement will be submitted to Congress for review, where lawmakers may express concerns regarding potential nuclear proliferation. Unlike the United Arab Emirates, which opted for a "gold standard" model without seeking enrichment, Saudi Arabia's new path opens the door to future weaponization if the kingdom chooses to pursue it.