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Trump approves 30-year US-Saudi nuclear deal with possible enrichment option
The agreement, expected to be announced as early as Wednesday, is set to run for 30 years and could involve US firms in developing Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear programme, including the enrichment capability option.
US President Donald Trump has approved an agreement with Saudi Arabia that could potentially give the kingdom uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear programme, according to two people familiar with the decision cited by the Associated Press.
The sources said the agreement is expected to be announced publicly as early as Wednesday and is expected to last 30 years, with US firms expected to play a role in developing the programme after a joint US-Saudi study that could support building a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia.
Non-proliferation experts cited by the AP warned that any uranium enrichment capability in Saudi Arabia, including spinning centrifuges, could raise concerns about a possible weapons programme, particularly given Saudi leadership statements about what the kingdom might pursue if Iran obtains an atomic bomb.
Separately, Forexlive described the deal as a significant long-term commercial opening for American nuclear engineering and enrichment technology companies, noting that the expected multi-decade revenue profile would likely be realized over decades rather than immediately.