Historic Agreement Signed Between the US and Saudi Arabia for Cooperation in Nuclear Energy Sector

A historic agreement has been finalized between the United States and Saudi Arabia to collaborate in the field of nuclear energy. US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated that this agreement will strengthen the commercial and strategic relationship between the two countries. The nuclear technology transfer deal will be submitted to the US Congress for approval.

July 23, Kathmandu: The United States and Saudi Arabia have reached a significant agreement regarding cooperation in nuclear energy. The administration of US President Donald Trump announced the development, which is expected to further solidify bilateral relations between Washington and Riyadh. The US Department of Energy described the agreement as “historic” and mentioned that American companies will provide nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.

According to the Department of Energy, the agreement includes the “123 Agreement” carried out under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, along with related bilateral nuclear security agreements. In a statement, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said, “These agreements strengthen trade relations between the US and Saudi Arabia, reflect a shared commitment to promoting prosperity in both countries, and enhance the security of our partners abroad.”

Some US media outlets have reported that under this agreement, Saudi Arabia will be permitted to enrich uranium domestically without importing nuclear fuel from the United States. However, the Department of Energy’s official statement did not provide any specific details regarding uranium enrichment. If those reports prove accurate, it is anticipated that the agreement may face strong opposition in the US Congress. The Trump administration has highlighted that the agreement will create jobs in America, reinforce global nuclear non-proliferation standards, and strengthen the strategic partnership with Riyadh.