The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark agreement to establish a civilian nuclear programme in the Gulf kingdom, with Washington stressing that the deal includes strict nuclear non-proliferation safeguards.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday (22) by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. It includes two separate accords covering peaceful nuclear cooperation and bilateral safeguards.
According to the US Department of Energy, the agreements provide the legal framework for a long-term, multi-billion-dollar partnership aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, energy security and nuclear non-proliferation.
While the full text of the agreements has not yet been released, media reports suggest the deal could allow US companies to help develop a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia. However, the US Department of Energy has neither confirmed nor commented on that aspect of the agreement.
The agreement will now be submitted to the US Congress for review.
The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with the United States engaged in conflict with Iran over concerns surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The agreement has also drawn scrutiny from some US lawmakers and Israeli officials, who have expressed concerns that Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme could eventually be adapted for military purposes.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright dismissed those concerns, stating that the agreement upholds the highest standards of nuclear safety and non-proliferation while relying on advanced American nuclear technology.
Analysts said the agreement strengthens strategic ties between Washington and Riyadh while helping the United States maintain its influence in the region amid growing competition from Russia and China in the global nuclear energy sector.
