President Donald Trump has approved a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that could lead to the kingdom enriching its own fuel for civilian reactors, according to a US official. The deal, which would last 30 years, could be announced as soon as Wednesday and would involve American companies providing technology and expertise in developing the Saudi program.

Controversy and Concerns

The agreement has sparked controversy, both domestically and within the wider Middle East region, as the ability to enrich nuclear fuel could, in theory, eventually lead to the creation of nuclear weapons. Israel, a country that is widely believed to have undeclared nuclear weapons, has long been wary of Saudi Arabia accessing nuclear technology.

The Trump administration intends to send the deal to Congress after it is announced. Any agreement to give Saudi Arabia access to nuclear technology could prove contentious, with lawmakers likely to scrutinize the deal closely.

Regional Implications

The deal has significant implications for the region, particularly given the ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iran, Saudi Arabia’s main rival in the region, has a stockpile of enriched uranium and has vowed to cling to its nuclear program even after months of US bombardment, claiming the program is for civilian purposes.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pledged to seek a nuclear weapon if Iran were ever to produce one. The US has been eying a Saudi civilian nuclear agreement for years, with the Biden administration previously viewing such an arrangement as part of a broader normalization pact between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.