Trump's Nuclear Deal with Saudi Arabia Faces Congressional Scrutiny

President Donald Trump has officially presented a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for evaluation, according to a source within the administration. This classified agreement, submitted on Monday, seeks to enhance Saudi Arabia's nuclear capabilities but hinges on the kingdom's normalization of relations with Israel.

Signed last month by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart, the pact's future is now uncertain due to Trump's insistence that Saudi Arabia must engage in the Abraham Accords before the deal can proceed. This requirement, announced shortly after the agreement was finalized, has raised concerns among lawmakers regarding potential nuclear proliferation.

Congress has a period of 90 days to review the agreement, during which it can either approve or reject it without a formal vote unless a resolution is passed against it. Historically, such nuclear agreements, known as 123 agreements, have been made public, though this one is notably classified at a higher level.

The Saudi government has not commented on the situation, but it has indicated that establishing relations with Israel would necessitate a clear path toward Palestinian statehood, a demand currently rebuffed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. If ratified, the agreement could last for three decades and involve US companies in the development of Saudi nuclear projects.

Source: www.france24.com