In signing a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, the US sends a 'signal' to Iran
The US has signed a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, allowing the kingdom to develop nuclear reactors using American technology. While framed as a strategic economic partnership, the deal has raised concerns among some politicians regarding nuclear non-proliferation and the potential for future weaponization.
Why it matters
The deal marks a significant shift in US-Saudi relations and Middle Eastern energy policy, with potential long-term implications for regional security and nuclear proliferation.
The US and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement on civil nuclear power. ( Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein )
Link copied Share Share article At the end of February, the US administration and the Iranian regime were taking part in nuclear talks when Washington walked away from the negotiating table and launched a bombing campaign on Iran with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
One of the many reasons given for US President Donald Trump's decision to go to war was to ensure the Iranian regime stopped enriching nuclear fuel.
But on Wednesday, Mr Trump formally approved a deal with a close ally that analysts warned could open the door for another Middle Eastern power to potentially do exactly that.
The US secretary of energy and Saudi Arabia's minister of energy signed an accord allowing the kingdom to build nuclear reactors using American technology and to enrich uranium.
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