US prepares 30-year nuclear pact with Arab Saudi
The deal could open the door to uranium enrichment facilities in Saudi and would take effect without US congressional approval.
The United States is preparing to sign and announce a civilian nuclear agreement with Arab Saudi on Wednesday, July 22. Reports in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal said the accord would run for 30 years and could allow US companies to build nuclear infrastructure in Saudi, including a uranium enrichment facility if a joint study finds it necessary. President Donald Trump's administration sees the cooperation as worth billions to tens of billions of dollars for the US nuclear industry. But the plan has drawn opposition from bipartisan members of Congress and Israeli officials, who worry the civilian program could be diverted toward nuclear weapons development. The document is expected to be sent to Congress soon for review, but it does not need congressional approval to take effect.