The United States is preparing to announce a deal with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that would grant the kingdom a civilian nuclear programme, according to media reports, coming amid a fresh flare-up between the Gulf oil giant and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The New York Times, citing two unnamed US officials, reported on Tuesday that the Trump administration plans to formally sign and announce the agreement with the Saudis on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump’s administration said the deal would channel billions of dollars into the US nuclear industry.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the arrangement, which would run for 30 years, contains a provision under which American firms would build a uranium enrichment plant in Saudi Arabia if a joint study found it justified.
However, some US lawmakers from both parties, along with Israeli officials, have opposed a civilian nuclear project for Riyadh, warning it could eventually be diverted toward developing nuclear weapons.
The deal is expected to be sent to Congress in the coming days, though lawmakers’ approval is not required for it to take effect.
The announcement comes as renewed clashes between the United States and Iran prompted Tehran’s Yemeni allies, the Houthi rebels, to threaten this week to widen the war by blockading Saudi ports.
Saudi Arabia and the Houthis exchanged fire last week for the first time in years, straining a 2022 truce, though the rebels have largely stayed on the sidelines since Israel and the United States struck Iran in late February.
Source: Vanguard.
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