The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have signed a nuclear power deal, which would enable Riyadh to enrich uranium and build reactors with U.S. technology.
But it is also raising concerns it could become a path for the kingdom to develop nuclear weapons.
:: What is in the U.S. Saudi Arabia nuclear deal?
Washington and Riyadh's agreement allows for the enrichment of uranium and the reprocessing of nuclear waste - both potential pathways to a nuclear weapon.
It doesn't compel Saudi Arabia to allow snap inspections by the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency, which would guard against secret nuclear enrichment...
...a concern because Saudi's crown prince has said Riyadh will develop nuclear weapons if its regional rival Iran does.
:: What other concerns are there?
A civilian nuclear deal has been in the works for years.
But nonproliferation groups warned against it.
The deal may raise consistency questions: Iran's refusal to give up its nuclear enrichment program was one justification for the U.S. war on it.
President Donald Trump also said on Thursday that the deal only goes ahead if Riyadh joins the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel, an action the kingdom has so far refused to take.
:: Are there any safeguards in the deal?
The U.S. says a bilateral safeguards agreement was also signed, which includes nonproliferation agreements under the U.S. Atomic Energy Act.
:: Manila, Philippines / July 23, 2026
Here's Secretary of State Marco Rubio:
"One of the best safeguards is to make sure that American technology and American companies are the ones that are involved in doing it. If, on the other hand, a country pursues nuclear technology with another country, well, then we don't really control those safeguards."
The deal now goes to Congress for 90 days, where blocking it would require a two-thirds majority to override a presidential veto.
Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern it could lead to an arms race in the Middle East.
Senator Edward Markey said: "They are allowing Saudi Arabia, a belligerent and authoritarian nation, to develop nuclear weapons technologies while starting a war with Iran under the guise of preventing an Iranian nuclear bomb."
Posted by: Alma Angeles/NET25 News
