Washington, Jul 22 (V7N) – US President Donald Trump has formally approved a landmark nuclear agreement aimed at supporting Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear energy program, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing US officials.
The report, published on Tuesday (July 22) and cited by Anadolu Agency, said the proposed 30-year agreement is expected to be worth billions of dollars and is designed to give US companies a leading role in developing Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear infrastructure while limiting the involvement of foreign competitors.
According to the report, if a joint US-Saudi review determines it is necessary, American companies would also construct a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement would further provide the United States with a role in monitoring Saudi Arabia's nuclear program. Officials in the Trump administration said the oversight mechanism is intended to help ensure that the program remains exclusively for peaceful purposes and is not used to develop nuclear weapons.
Despite the administration's support, the deal is expected to face scrutiny when it is submitted to the US Congress for review in the coming days.
Several lawmakers have expressed concern over Saudi Arabia's expanding nuclear capabilities amid continuing instability and security tensions across the Middle East.
If approved by Congress, the agreement would mark one of the most significant US-Saudi civilian nuclear cooperation initiatives in decades.
END/SMA/AJ
