1 minute read
US intelligence assessed that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing a nuclear weapons program, The Washington Post reported, citing US officials familiar with classified documents submitted to Congress.
The assessment deepened concerns among some US lawmakers about President Donald Trump’s agreement to help the kingdom establish a civilian nuclear program.
US President Donald Trump has said the agreement with Saudi Arabia will not take effect unless the kingdom joins the Abraham Accords and normalizes relations with Israel.
The agreement allows US companies to carry out nuclear energy projects worth tens of billions of dollars in Saudi Arabia.
Under the agreement, the level of uranium enrichment is initially limited to below 5 percent. However, following additional review and written approval, it can be increased to 20 percent. That level is still not the enrichment level required for weapons, but reaching weapons-grade enrichment from there is significantly faster.