Senior Trump administration officials say US involvement in Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program will prevent the kingdom from diverting enriched uranium to military purposes. The arrangement includes a secret 'black box' mechanism for any future enrichment facility, and a ten-year ban on Saudi enrichment if Washington opposes it after a two-year review.
New details from senior Trump administration officials reveal that the US-Saudi civilian nuclear deal includes a secret "black box" mechanism for any future enrichment facility and a ten-year ban on Saudi enrichment if Washington opposes it after a two-year review. This adds to the previously reported 30-year term (The Zioneer, 05:16 Jerusalem) and the central role of American companies (The Zioneer, 05:16 Jerusalem).
The Wall Street Journal first reported the deal's approval at 04:11 Jerusalem (Wed), without specifying the enrichment safeguards. At 05:16 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported on the 30-year term and the role of American companies, citing Channel 12. At 05:17 Jerusalem, The Zioneer further detailed the WSJ report, confirming the enrichment facility provision. The new "black box" details come from senior administration officials speaking after these reports.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the broader context of US-Saudi nuclear cooperation, including a draft agreement from July 19 that could allow Saudi enrichment without full international safeguards. Separately, the Trump administration has announced plans for ten commercial nuclear reactors by 2030, reflecting a push for nuclear energy expansion. The specific mechanism of the "black box" and the exact conditions for the US veto on enrichment remain undisclosed. The two-year research period and the subsequent ten-year ban are subject to the outcomes of the review.
4 developments
- DevelopingTrump administration conducts secret talks with Tehran on new nuclear deal
- DevelopingDraft US-Saudi agreement may allow Saudi uranium enrichment without full international safeguards
- StrongTrump signs approval for US companies to build civilian nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia, WSJ reports
- DevelopingNYT: Trump separates Saudi civilian nuclear deal from normalization condition
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