US signs important nuclear agreements with Saudi Arabia

The deal is described as a peaceful “agreement on nuclear co-operation” that will provide excellent “approaches to American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy programme”, according to the US Energy Department.

The text from the agreement did not become public, but American media have reported that it could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium in the future ʹ that could be used as fuel for thermal power plants, but also to make nuclear bombs.

Experts say this would mark a first case for the US and could carry the risk of nuclear spread in the future in an already unstable region.

The US Energy Department noted that, along with the co-operation agreement, a “bilateral agreement on defence measures” was signed.

Together, these two agreements lay the legal foundation for a multibillion-dollar partnership that lasts several decades and advances several priority economic and strategic goals, including non-proliferation”, the statement said.

The Saudi government also issued a statement saying the “agreement represents an expansion of existing co-operation between the two countries in the energy sector” and noted it comes after the Saudi leader visited Washington last November.