US, Saudi Arabia Set to Sign Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

The United States and Saudi Arabia are set to sign a preliminary agreement for cooperation in developing a civil nuclear industry, according to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright during his visit to Riyadh. The agreement aims to facilitate collaboration on a Saudi civil nuclear program, although specific details will be released later this year. A crucial aspect of the partnership is the requirement of a 123 agreement under U.S. law, which governs nuclear cooperation and aims to prevent nuclear proliferation. However, progress has been challenging due to Saudi Arabia's hesitation to comply with non-proliferation criteria, particularly regarding uranium enrichment and reprocessing. This development raises concerns, especially in the context of Saudi Arabia's stance on potentially pursuing nuclear weapons if Iran were to develop a nuclear capability. The collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, aiming for broader energy diversification.