US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that Saudi Arabia is an important partner and that any civilian nuclear cooperation deal with Riyadh will include security and oversight measures. The comments follow the signing of the US-Saudi civilian nuclear deal earlier Thursday, as The Zioneer reported.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday defended the US-Saudi civilian nuclear deal, saying it will include strong security and oversight measures. According to Israeli media reports, Rubio said Saudi Arabia is an important partner and that 'any deal that is made, including with Saudi Arabia, will include security and oversight measures.'
The deal, which The Zioneer reported earlier Thursday, marks a 30-year civilian nuclear cooperation agreement that enables uranium enrichment on Saudi soil. The agreement has drawn concern from Israeli officials and US lawmakers who fear enrichment capabilities could eventually be used for military purposes.
Rubio's statement appears aimed at addressing those concerns. The deal will now be reviewed by Congress, and its long-term implications for Israel's security and regional stability remain a subject of debate among analysts.
4 developments
- ConfirmedUS Energy Secretary details economic rationale behind Saudi nuclear deal
- DevelopingRubio: Any civilian nuclear deal will include safeguards to prevent weaponization
- DevelopingUS expects 'black box' safeguards to prevent Saudi nuclear weapons program, officials say
- DevelopingUS Secretary of State says US aims for diplomatic settlement with Iran
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