Trump clears nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia without global safeguards

US President Donald Trump has approved a landmark civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that could allow the kingdom to enrich uranium on its own soil, The Wall Street Journal reported citing officials. However, unlike previous US nuclear deals, the pact with Saudi Arabia does not include safeguards Washington has traditionally sought to prevent civilian nuclear programmes from being diverted for weapons development.The two signed a preliminary agreement in Riyadh last year.
As per reports, the Trump administration plans to submit to Congress a pact with Saudi Arabia to share nuclear power technology that does not include safeguards the U.S. has long said would stop materials being used in nuclear weapons programs. The sources said the administration would submit to Congress within days a document known as a 123 Agreement that will be signed by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi energy minister Abdulaziz bin Salman.
The agreement, expected to last 30 years and be worth tens of billions of dollars, would establish a framework for US companies to play a leading role in building Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear programme while largely shutting out foreign competitors. With the agreement allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium domestically, experts warned the deal could pave the way towards developing nuclear weapons unless stringent safeguards are imposed. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said the kingdom would seek its own nuclear weapons if regional rival Iran were to acquire one.