President Donald Trump has reportedly approved a long-term nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that would allow the kingdom to enrich uranium for its civilian nuclear program, according to the Associated Press. Citing two people familiar with the matter, the report said the agreement could be announced as early as Wednesday and would run for 30 years while being worth tens of billions of dollars.
The Associated Press reported that the proposed agreement would place U.S. companies at the center of Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program while shutting out foreign competitors. If implemented, it would mark a major expansion of nuclear cooperation between Washington and Riyadh.
The proposal is also expected to face resistance in Congress. According to the Associated Press, lawmakers are likely to scrutinize the agreement because it reportedly will not include the International Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol, which provides enhanced monitoring, inspections and verification of civilian nuclear programs.
The report said nonproliferation experts believe the planned civilian program could also give Saudi Arabia the capability to develop a weapons program in the future. Those concerns have been heightened by previous comments from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has suggested the kingdom could pursue nuclear weapons if Iran develops an atomic bomb.
Regional security issues are also expected to remain part of the debate. Saudi Arabia already has a mutual defense pact with Pakistan, a nuclear-armed country, according to the report.
After Israel targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar, Pakistan's defense minister said the country's nuclear program "will be made available" to Riyadh if needed. The remarks were widely viewed as a warning to Israel.
While Trump has reportedly approved the agreement, the Associated Press said congressional review could prove to be a significant hurdle. Debate is expected to focus on Saudi Arabia's uranium-enrichment capability and whether the proposed safeguards are sufficient for a long-term civilian nuclear partnership.
