Trump administration clears nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump has approved a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, according to sources cited by the Associated Press. Reuters sources say the administration is preparing to submit the deal to Congress. Sources from both agencies agree that the deal contains no restrictions on uranium enrichment or the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, which could raise concerns about nuclear proliferation. The White House has not commented on the media reports, but could announce its support for the deal later today.

According to the Associated Press, the deal provides for 30 years of cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia on the development of nuclear energy for civilian purposes. The document is based on an agreement signed in Riyadh last year.

According to Reuters, the text does not include the so-called gold standard, which would prevent Saudi Arabia from gaining access to uranium enrichment technology. It also does not include a protocol that would allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to exercise stricter oversight of Saudi Arabia's nuclear programme.

The deal would allow a uranium enrichment facility to be built on the basis of a study by the United States and Saudi Arabia, the Associated Press reports. The Wall Street Journal says the study is expected to determine whether uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia would be worthwhile. Experts have warned in the past that if Saudi Arabia gained access to uranium enrichment technology, it could open the door to its efforts to acquire a nuclear weapon. Members of the Trump administration say strong US influence over Saudi Arabia's programme is a sufficient safeguard against its misuse for military purposes, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The United States has previously signed a similar deal with the United Arab Emirates for the construction of the Barakah nuclear power plant. However, the Arab country did not seek uranium enrichment technology.

It will not be easy for Congress to block the deal, The Wall Street Journal writes. To do so, both chambers must pass a joint resolution, and then two-thirds of lawmakers must override Trump's expected veto.

Iran has faced strong criticism in recent years for enriching uranium beyond the limits needed solely for civilian use. It has also restricted the IAEA's inspection activities. Israel and the United States suspected Tehran of seeking to build a nuclear weapon, which Iran denied. The United States and Israel justified starting a war against the country precisely by citing fears that the Iranian regime might acquire such a weapon.