Washington, July 23: A new nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia has ignited fresh debates among Congress and international security experts. Concerns have been raised that the ability to enrich uranium could increase the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation in the future.
The agreement, signed by the Trump administration, allows Saudi Arabia to advance its uranium enrichment capabilities while ensuring that American companies play a significant role in the construction and supply of its nuclear reactors.
Sources linked to the agreement indicate that it includes security provisions aimed at preventing Saudi Arabia from using uranium enrichment for weaponization. Should enrichment be permitted in Saudi Arabia, the process would remain under the control of American companies, with the technology not being transferred to Saudi Arabia.
However, a notable exemption has been included. Saudi Arabia will be exempt from the stringent international inspections typically associated with such nuclear agreements. Instead, American experts will conduct the inspections, a provision that has raised significant concerns among Congress and nuclear non-proliferation experts.
According to a report by The Washington Post, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the agreement would strengthen economic and strategic partnerships between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. He claimed that the deal adheres to the highest standards of nuclear safety and non-proliferation, utilizing American technology and expertise. The agreement falls under Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act and will be sent to Congress, where lawmakers will have 90 days to review it. If Congress disapproves, the President can still implement it via a veto.
Under the agreement, both countries will study the economic and technical necessity of uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia over the next two years. While nuclear fuel supply is currently available globally, demand is expected to rise due to the increasing global expansion of nuclear energy.
Nuclear non-proliferation experts warn that such an agreement could set a dangerous precedent, prompting other countries to make similar demands. They argue that it could weaken the global framework for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. Concerns have also escalated in Israel, with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett labeling it a serious strategic failure for Israeli security. He warned that it could trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Israeli defense experts have also expressed worries about regional stability.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has publicly stated that if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia will follow suit. This has led to serious discussions among the U.S., Israel, and global security experts regarding the implications of the agreement.
Richard Nephew, a former advisor to Presidents Biden and Obama, cautioned that limiting the role of international nuclear inspectors could create a dangerous precedent for the future. He noted that while American inspectors are technically capable, relying solely on U.S. oversight would be difficult for other nations to accept. He compared it to scenarios where countries like Iran or Russia would not be trusted to conduct their own inspections.
The primary beneficiary of this agreement is expected to be the American nuclear energy company Westinghouse. Although the company is not explicitly named in the agreement, it stipulates that U.S. firms will be prioritized for the construction and supply of Saudi nuclear reactors, significantly increasing the likelihood of using Westinghouse’s AP1000 reactors, which can power millions of homes.
The agreement also mentions prioritizing American companies involved in uranium mining, reactor construction equipment, and other supply chains. However, if necessary, Saudi Arabia can still source materials, components, and expertise from other countries.
Opposition to the agreement is already emerging in the U.S. Congress. Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman from California raised concerns during a Foreign Affairs Committee meeting, recalling that Iran’s nuclear program also began with American technology. He questioned the future political landscape in Saudi Arabia over the next decade.
Sherman stated, “Today, the U.S. opposes Iran’s uranium enrichment and reprocessing program, yet allows Saudi Arabia to pursue the same path. The only difference appears to be that American companies will gain economically this time.”
He also reminded that current Secretary of State Marco Rubio co-sponsored the “No Nuclear Weapons for Saudi Arabia Act” while serving as a senator, which aimed to ensure that any nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia required explicit congressional approval.
Meanwhile, during a press conference in the Philippines, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to comment in detail about the agreement, stating only that the U.S. would not enter into any agreement that poses a risk of nuclear weapons proliferation.
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