US-Saudi nuclear pact could enable uranium enrichment, inviting congressional scrutiny
The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement and a bilateral safeguards pact that could allow Riyadh to enrich uranium for reactors, potentially laying the groundwork for a future enrichment facility after a joint study. The deal, projected to span about 30 years and involve US firms like Westinghouse, will be sent to Congress for review amid concerns over monitoring safeguards and broader regional tensions with Iran. Supporters say it strengthens nonproliferation standards and economic and security ties, while critics warn of insufficient oversight.