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BS News Agency: The United States has signed a historic civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia. As a result of this agreement, the top oil producer in the Middle East will have the opportunity to develop its own civilian nuclear program with the help of US technology. The United States has stated that this agreement will maintain international nuclear safety provisions and open up a new horizon for US companies to enter Saudi Arabia's energy sector. Although the full document of the agreement has not been made public, international media reports have said that according to the agreement, Saudi Arabia may later be allowed to enrich uranium on its own territory. There is a possibility that uranium processing will be conducted there using a centrifuge facility built by a US company. However, this technology of uranium enrichment can also be used to produce nuclear weapons in addition to generating electricity. As a result, a large part of nuclear weapons control experts have expressed concern. According to them, the United States has never previously provided international assistance to any other country to enrich uranium on its own soil, which could create the risk of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East in the future. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied these allegations and risks, saying that Washington would never take any action that would create a risk of nuclear proliferation. In addition, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed in a statement that the agreement maintains the highest level of security in the world. The political and strategic timing of this agreement is very significant. It was signed shortly after the continued tension between the US and its allies with Iran, the attack on US bases in Saudi Arabia, and the blockade of Saudi maritime borders by Yemen's Houthi rebels. According to previous policy, diplomatic recognition of Israel was emphasized as a prerequisite for transferring nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia. But this time, it has been reported that the Trump administration has concluded the agreement without that condition. Analysts believe that one of the main reasons behind this is that Washington has taken hasty steps to prevent Riyadh from entering into such military and technological agreements with Russia or China. However, the implementation of this agreement will take some time and will require the approval of the US Congress. Democratic lawmakers have already expressed their anger over the deal.
It is particularly different from the 2009 nuclear deal the US government signed with the United Arab Emirates, in which the UAE pledged not to enrich any uranium on its soil. Although Republicans currently hold a majority in both houses of Congress, it is expected to face strong opposition in the Senate and House of Representatives when the deal is reviewed.