The US on Wednesday is set to announce a deal with Saudi Arabia that would allow the oil-rich Gulf nation to enrich uranium, according to US media reports. Riyadh has long asserted its right to a civilian nuclear programme, but Israel and several policy experts warn that it could spark a nuclear proliferation threat in the region.
The US plans to announce a landmark deal with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that would help establish a civilian nuclear programme in the kingdom, according to media reports.
The move comes as Washington fights a war with Iran that began in part over US concerns with Tehran's own nuclear programme – an issue that remains a key point of contention during now-stalled talks between the two foes.
The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday reported that the Trump administration planned to formally sign and announce the deal with the Saudis on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump's administration said the agreement would provide billions of dollars for the US nuclear industry.
A provision in the 30-year deal would potentially see US companies build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia, the Wall Street Journal reported.
However, US lawmakers from both parties and Israeli officials have voiced opposition to a civilian nuclear project for Saudi Arabia over fears it could be converted to eventually develop nuclear weapons.
The deal is expected to be submitted to Congress in the coming days, but its approval is not required for it to go through.
Saudi Arabia has long been adamant about its right to pursue a civilian nuclear programme.
Washington has sought in recent years to include any deal concerning a nuclear agreement as part of a wider strategic play that would include seeing Saudi Arabia normalise ties with Israel, along with the signing of a US defence pact.
The United States signed a nuclear agreement with the kingdom's neighbour the United Arab Emirates in 2009, although the country does not enrich its own uranium.
A drone struck a generator in May near the UAE's Barakah nuclear plant, the Arab world's only such facility, causing a fire.
Read moreDrone strike sparks a fire on the edge of UAE nuclear facility
Policymakers have long feared that if Iran produced a nuclear weapon, the move would set off an arms race across the Gulf.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to confirm the Saudi Arabia deal in Manila on Wednesday, deferring to the White House, but dismissed fears it could lead to nuclear proliferation.
"Suffice it to say, the US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation," he told reporters on the sidelines of a summit of Southeast Asian foreign ministers.
With renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, fears are growing that the war risks further destabilising the region.
Tehran's Yemeni allies the Houthi rebels threatened to expand the war this week, announcing they would blockade Saudi ports.
Read moreYemen's Houthis announce Saudi naval blockade
The declaration has spurred fears that such a blockade could threaten the supply of millions of barrels of crude to the international market.
Saudi Arabia and the Houthis traded fire last week, threatening a 2022 truce, although the rebels have largely remained on the sidelines since the Middle East war erupted on February 28.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
