A proposed nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia could allow the kingdom to enrich uranium, raising significant proliferation concerns amidst an ongoing atomic standoff with Iran and Saudi Arabia's past threats to acquire nuclear weapons if Iran does.
Congressional documents and an arms control group suggest a proposed nuclear deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia could grant the kingdom the ability to enrich uranium within its borders. This development sparks serious proliferation concerns, especially given the ongoing nuclear standoff between Iran and America, and Saudi Arabia's previous statements about acquiring a nuclear bomb if Iran does. Last year, Saudi Arabia also signed a mutual defense pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan, whose defense minister then offered Pakistan's nuclear program to Saudi Arabia if needed, seen as a warning to Israel. Experts like Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association warn that while nuclear cooperation can be positive, 'the devil is in the details,' noting that the Trump administration may not have fully considered the proliferation risks. The proposed deal, part of a larger US effort to secure 20 nuclear business deals globally, could be worth billions. While it would involve safeguard agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for 'proliferation-sensitive areas' like enrichment, experts believe it would still open the door for Saudi Arabia to acquire enrichment technology or knowledge. Enrichment, though not an automatic path to a weapon, is a critical step that fuels concerns, similar to those surrounding Iran's program. This potential deal contrasts with the 'gold standard' set by the UAE, which built its nuclear plant without seeking enrichment capabilities. The push for this Saudi-U.S. agreement unfolds amidst heightened tensions with Iran, whose own enrichment program has long been a source of international concern, and whose leaders have recently hinted at seeking a bomb if tensions escalate further.
