US-Saudi uranium deal sparks fears of ‘nuclear arms race in the Middle East’
Updated . First published at
Donald Trump’s deal to allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium has been heavily criticised as a dangerous move towards nuclear weapons in the Middle East.
The Trump administration has signed the agreement with the Saudi government that could lead to the Arab nation developing a civilian nuclear program.
President Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House last year. AP
But there are fears this could be the first step towards the regime developing nuclear weapons for themselves.
Democratic Senator Ed Markey said Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were “reckless hypocrites” over the deal.
“They want to allow Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear technologies while starting a war with Iran under the guise of preventing an Iranian nuclear bomb,” Markey said.
“This deal will make us all less safe.
“We must stop a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.”
The New York Times has reported the US has agreed that the Saudis will not have to abide by an inspection agreement that applies to 140 other countries.
The deal has alarmed Israel, which has a long and adversarial relationship with Saudi Arabia.
“The fact that it’s not tied to normalisation nor is it clear what guardrails are in place to prevent Saudi Arabia from breaking out to a military program — both of these are sources of concern in Israel,” former Israeli ambassador Michael Herzog told the New York Times.
Chris Watterson from the United States Studies Centre told nine.com.au while enriching uranium had legitimate civilian purposes, it could also lead to Saudis developing nuclear weapons.
President Donald Trump shows a chart highlighting arms sales to Saudi Arabia during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office in 2018. AP
“There have been whispers that they’ve got an interest in developing nuclear weapons, primarily as a balance to Iran’s own nuclear ambitions, potentially even Israel,” Watterson said.
“They want to assert control over the Middle East as a regional power.”
And it’s a “financial boon” for American companies, Watterson said.
“There’s a commercial incentive here,” he said.
While it is difficult to put a price tag on the deal, it is likely worth billions of dollars.
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman said he would seek to build nuclear weapons “without a doubt” if Iran also succeeded in doing so.
However, that would break the terms of the deal agreed upon with the US.
A statement from the US Department of Energy referred to the deal as the 123 agreement.
“The 123 agreement provides great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program, benefiting American industry, workers, and supply chains while helping to meet Saudi energy needs,” the statement read.
Trump speaks at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh. AP
But Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver was not impressed.
“You can’t wage war in the name of stopping nuclear proliferation while facilitating it elsewhere because there’s money to be made,” he said.
“Any nuclear co-operation agreement should include the strongest possible safeguards against weapons development, without exception.”
The deal will need to be approved by Congress to go into effect.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright sang the praises of the agreement and the president.
“Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world’s best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States,” Wright said.
“Thanks to President Trump, the American nuclear renaissance is underway and will deliver long-term benefits to the American and Saudi people.”
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