Trump to reportedly announce nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia
by Joe Fisher · UPIJuly 22 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump has reached an agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that will involve the United States supporting the creation of a Saudi nuclear power program, U.S. officials said, according to reports.
The deal will last for 30 years and will also involve U.S. companies building out the nuclear program. Congress must vote on the agreement before it becomes official, The New York Times, CNN and NBC News reported.
The agreement may enable Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium and process plutonium for its nuclear reactors, facilitating the conditions for the kingdom to develop nuclear weapons.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report that the president has approved the agreement.
The Trump administration is expected to stage a formal signing of the agreement sometime on Wednesday.
Support for such an agreement is mixed in Congress, with some Republicans joining Democrats in skepticism. Israeli officials have outright opposed the deal, citing concerns that Saudi Arabia will ultimately develop nuclear weapons.
The deal will go before Congress after it is signed, required by the Atomic Energy Act. Congress may vote on a resolution to disapprove of the agreement but unless that resolution were to pass with a veto-proof majority, the agreement will likely be approved.
As part of the deal, the president agreed to terms that restrict international inspectors when it comes to inspecting Saudi Arabian nuclear sites that they believe could be used in the development of nuclear weapons.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the United States would not "reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of [nuclear] proliferation."
The United States had proposed terms meant to ease tensions and normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Saudi Arabia rejected these terms, insisting that a relationship with Israel is not possible without progress being made toward Palestinian statehood.
More details on the Saudi Arabian nuclear due are expected to become clear after it is introduced to Congress.
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on President Donald Trump's June 24 supplemental funding request at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo