U.S. and Saudi Arabia sign new agreement to build out civilian nuclear program
WASHINGTON (CBS, KYMA) - The U.S. and Saudi Arabian governments have signed a new agreement to build out a civilian nuclear program.
The mention of more nuclear anything in the Middle East has caused some worry, but while speaking with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil Wednesday, Face the Nation moderator and CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan explained what's actually in the deal.
"This broad agreement is about nuclear energy, not nuclear weapons, and the aim is to help U.S. ally Saudi Arabia develop a civilian nuclear energy program, as we just mentioned, but it's all managed by American companies and American technology," Brennan shared. "The administration says it'll be worth billions of dollars for the U.S. nuclear industry, which they are. Trying to help shore up now Saudi would not be the first Gulf country with a nuclear energy program, but this deal would make them the first to enrich nuclear fuel on their own soil, albeit under U.S. control. Now all of this still is going to require congressional review."
When asked why the Saudis wanted the deal so badly, and what are the security concerns, Brennan said:
"Saudi has said for a long time that they want to diversify away from oil. That's the source of its wealth, and America has been working towards a nuclear deal since 2008. It's a long time coming, and administration officials now argue having American corporations running the facilities mitigates any risk of material being diverted to a weapons program. However, given the timing, some Republican and Democratic critics want more safeguards, speculating this kind of deal could set off a regional nuclear race and make it less likely, for example, for Iran to accept limits on what it Says is its own civilian nuclear energy program."
However, in a post to Truth Social Thursday, President Donald Trump said the deal requires the Saudis to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously saying it would depend on a roadmap to a Palestinian state.
"We want to be part of the accord, but we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path of two-state solution," the Crown Prince expressed.
President Trump also said the deal involves only non-military use, adding there will not be any enrichment.
In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote, "Saudi Arabia's joining of the Abraham Accords would be an historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East. Peace through Strength."
To watch Brennan's full report on the deal, click here.
