Two sources said that the administration of US President Donald Trump intends to submit an agreement to Congress in the coming days to share nuclear energy technology with Saudi Arabia, an agreement that does not include the safeguards that the United States has asserted will prevent the use of the materials in nuclear weapons programs.
The two sources explained that the administration will submit to Congress a document known as the “Article 123 Agreement,” signed by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.
The two sides had signed a preliminary agreement in Riyadh last year.
The agreement refers to Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which obliges the U.S. government and companies to cooperate with entities in Saudi Arabia to develop a multibillion-dollar civilian nuclear industry.
Sources familiar with the agreement said it does not include the “gold standard” that would prevent the kingdom from enriching uranium and reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, two potential pathways to producing nuclear weapons.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity so they could discuss sensitive issues, noted that the agreement also does not include the “Additional Protocol,” which grants the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency broad and more comprehensive oversight powers over nuclear activities in any country, such as the power to conduct surprise inspections at undeclared sites.
One source said the administration would submit the agreement to Congress on Wednesday, while another said it would be submitted in about a week. A third source, who did not specify whether the agreement lacked safeguards, said it would be submitted soon.
Wright had said that the preliminary agreement did not concern uranium enrichment, and that it included all the non-proliferation standards contained in the U.S. Atomic Energy Act, which is among the strongest in the world.
One source explained that the agreement provides a legal pathway for cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium enrichment, but does not obligate the United States to transfer any related capabilities or technologies to Saudi Arabia.
Nuclear proliferation concerns
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly stated that if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, the kingdom will do the same, raising concerns among arms control advocates and US lawmakers about the civilian nuclear agreement.
Prince Mohammed told CBS in 2018: “Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire nuclear weapons, but if Iran develops an atomic bomb, we will do the same as quickly as possible, without a doubt.”
The Kingdom also affirmed its desire to retain the right to enrich uranium. The UAE accepted the “gold standard” in 2009 by signing a “Section 123 Agreement” with Washington. Once submitted to Congress, Section 123 Agreements are subject to a review period of approximately 90 days, during which lawmakers can object to them; otherwise, they enter into force.
To block the agreement, Congress would need to pass joint legislation and secure a two-thirds majority to override any presidential veto. Many Democrats and some Republicans, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio when he was a senator, insisted that any agreement include safeguards.
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