Washington (Web Desk): The United States is set to announce a major agreement with Saudi Arabia that would allow Riyadh to develop a civilian nuclear programme, according to media reports, as tensions rise in the Gulf region due to renewed clashes between Saudi forces and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The New York Times, citing two unnamed US officials, reported that the Trump administration plans to formally unveil and sign the agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
The administration has said the deal would bring billions of dollars in investment to the American nuclear energy sector.
According to Reuters, the agreement, which is expected to be sent to Congress in the coming days, does not contain certain safeguards previously demanded by Washington to prevent nuclear materials from being used for weapons development.
Sources said the administration would submit a document known as a 123 Agreement, signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. The two countries had reached a preliminary understanding on the matter during talks in Riyadh last year.
The proposed agreement could remain in effect for 30 years and may allow US companies to construct a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia if a joint assessment determines it is necessary, The Wall Street Journal reported.
However, the planned nuclear cooperation has faced criticism from some lawmakers in both US political parties as well as Israeli officials, who have expressed concerns that the programme could eventually be diverted toward nuclear weapons development.
The agreement is expected to be presented to Congress soon, though lawmakers’ approval is not required for it to take effect, according to AFP.
The announcement comes amid growing instability in the region, with renewed fighting involving the United States, Iran and Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The Houthis have warned they could widen the conflict and announced plans to impose a blockade on Saudi ports.
Saudi forces and Houthi fighters exchanged fire last week for the first time in years, putting pressure on a fragile 2022 ceasefire.
However, the rebels had largely stayed out of the conflict after Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran in late February.