US-Saudi Arabia Relations

US confirms new energy agreement with Saudi Arabia

The US Department of Energy confirms that the US and Saudi Arabia have entered into a new agreement on cooperation in nuclear energy, the department writes on X.

The countries have also concluded agreements on bilateral safeguards.

"Together, these two agreements lay the legal foundation for a partnership that will last for decades and is worth many billions of dollars," the Department of Energy writes.

According to the department, the partnership will expand US nuclear energy exports, create high-paying jobs in the United States, strengthen the US energy and security position, strengthen global standards for non-proliferation agreements and deepen cooperation between the US and Saudi Arabia.

The agreement will now be sent to the US Congress for approval.

Sources: Saudi Arabia's deal with the US could involve its own enrichment

The nuclear energy agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia could mean that Saudi Arabia can enrich its own uranium for nuclear reactors, sources for American media say.

The agreement will extend over the next 30 years, according to WSJ's sources.

The agreement is likely to be supported by many Republicans, writes NYT. But criticism is expected to come from members of both parties, as well as from Israel. Israel in particular is said to be concerned about the possibility of Saudi Arabia developing a nuclear weapon, the newspaper writes.

The US Department of Energy announced the agreement late on Wednesday evening Swedish time.