US President Donald Trump wrote Thursday on his Truth Social platform that the emerging civilian nuclear deal between the US Energy Department and Saudi Arabia "pertains only to non-military use."
According to Trump, similar civilian nuclear programs already exist in Iran, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. He stressed that the agreement would not permit uranium enrichment. Trump also said the deal was "subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords," the US-brokered normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab countries.
The deal, approved with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday concerning the kingdom's civilian nuclear program, is expected to remain in effect for 30 years and involve US companies in developing the program.
However, the agreement, which will be submitted to Congress, could face opposition from members concerned that assisting Saudi Arabia, which has long sought the ability to enrich uranium domestically, could intensify regional and global tensions over nuclear energy.
Saudi Arabia is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear technology while monitoring countries to ensure they are not pursuing covert nuclear weapons programs.
The agreement is not expected to require Saudi Arabia to adopt the IAEA Additional Protocol, which would allow for more extensive monitoring, inspections and verification, according to a source who spoke with The Associated Press.
