Is Saudi Arabia Preparing to go Nuclear?
U.S. intelligence has handed over to Congress a document that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing its own nuclear weapons program. The information was published by The Washington Post, which referred to U.S. officials.
Estimates have heightened concerns from some of U.S. lawmakers over President Donald Trump's agreement with Riyadh to aid a civilian nuclear program. The concern is that the arrangement could create opportunities to develop a nuclear weapon and provoke an arms race in the unstable Middle East.
The dispute is about uranium enrichment
The agreement allows U.S. companies to start nuclear power projects in Saudi Arabia. The Trump administration expects the deal to strengthen U.S.-Saudi relations and limit the possibility of the kingdom deepening its cooperation with Russia and China.
Following the announcement of the agreement in July, the U.S. administration said it would ensure high standards of nuclear safety, protection and nuclear non-proliferation. Democrats in Congress, however, warn that the arrangement could open a path for uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia to almost 20 percent. This, they say, increases the risk that some of the nuclear material will be used for military purposes.
Congress runs the 90-day deadline for examining the agreement. Lawmakers can pass a law to block it if they manage to garner the necessary support.
Senators demand the deal be cancelled
A group of Democratic senators led by Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley has sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In it, they state that the Trump administration is abandoning the current approach and is adopting a softer regime of restrictions.
“This process will almost certainly allow Riyadh to acquire funds for uranium enrichment and possibly to develop a nuclear weapon.”
is indicated in the senators' letter. According to U.S. officials, the State Department was involved in preparing the secret documents sent to Congress in August and is assessing protection measures and safeguards from the Saudi government more positively.
There is no direct response from Riyadh to the publication. Earlier, Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman said the program would be "peaceful" and developed "with the highest degree of responsibility and transparency."
The U.S. State Department told The Washington Post that Washington “does not support and will not support a Saudi program to create nuclear weapons.”