The US Department of Energy announced the signing of a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, according to a report by N12. The announcement follows earlier reports of President Trump's approval and a planned framework for uranium enrichment on Saudi soil.
The US Department of Energy announced Wednesday evening that it has signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, confirming the signing that had been scheduled for 20:30 Jerusalem. The announcement marks the culmination of a day of rapidly evolving reports, following earlier indications that the Trump administration had approved the deal, which includes a framework for US companies to build a uranium enrichment facility on Saudi soil.
Earlier on Wednesday, at 05:56 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that the New York Times said President Trump had separated the deal from normalization with Israel. At the same time, additional reports emerged: The Zioneer covered a report that the US had signed the deal, details of a 30-year framework with US companies managing Saudi plants, and confirmation that Trump had approved the agreement. The Wall Street Journal and Associated Press confirmed the approval, followed by a US official confirming to CNN. Reuters reported that the deal omitted the 'gold standard' enrichment ban and full IAEA safeguards. The Zioneer also published an article at 06:38 Jerusalem detailing the 30-year agreement worth tens of billions of dollars. The coverage evolved from single-source reports to multiple newsroom confirmations throughout the morning.
The deal grants Riyadh a civilian nuclear program with uranium enrichment on its soil, a provision that has sparked debate over non-proliferation. Experts have warned of a potential regional nuclear arms race, as The Zioneer reported earlier. The agreement comes amid broader regional tensions, including US efforts to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran and ongoing conflict with Houthi forces in Yemen.
The full text of the signed agreement has not been released, and it remains unclear whether the uranium enrichment provisions were included in the final version, as some earlier reports indicated.
11 developments
- DevelopingIsrael Hayom reports new details of Trump-Saudi nuclear deal, confirms uranium enrichment on Saudi soil
- DevelopingZioneer analysis: US-Saudi nuclear deal enables uranium enrichment, risks regional arms race
- DevelopingCommentary: US-Saudi nuclear deal a 'gift' that risks 'oil economy confrontation'
- DevelopingDraft US-Saudi agreement may allow Saudi uranium enrichment without full international safeguards
Source and signal
- Internal intake