U.S. nuclear power deal with Saudi Arabia faces criticism in Israel
NPR • • world
Key Points:
- The U.S. signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia allowing American companies to build and supply nuclear reactors and fuel, raising concerns in Israel about potential nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
- The agreement permits Saudi Arabia to enrich its own nuclear fuel domestically, a provision that deviates from the "gold standard" non-enrichment terms previously required in U.S. deals with Gulf states like the UAE.
- Israeli officials and opposition leaders criticized the deal, viewing it as a failure of Prime Minister Netanyahu to prevent Saudi Arabia's nuclear ambitions and fearing it could trigger a regional nuclear arms race.
- The agreement comes amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, with recent strikes and counterstrikes in the Persian Gulf and attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
- Critics argue the deal risks enabling Saudi Arabia's potential nuclear weapons development, while supporters say it strengthens U.S.-Saudi ties and expands American technology exports in a volatile region.
