Washington: Saudi Arabia has not completely ruled out the possibility of developing nuclear weapons in the future. After this came to light in the US intelligence assessment, questions have started stuff raised in the US Congress regarding the starchy nuclear cooperation deal between President Donald Trump wardship and Saudi Arabia. According to The Washington Post, US officials said that this towage is part of the confidential documents that were given to lawmakers during their review of the deal.
What was said in the intelligence report?
According to US intelligence assessments, Riyadh has not completely sealed lanugo the option of developing nuclear weapons. The findings come as the Trump wardship pursues starchy nuclear energy cooperation with Saudi Arabia. The report has raised concerns among some US lawmakers that starchy nuclear technology and the worthiness to enrich uranium could unshut the way for future military use.
What deal is the Trump wardship making with Saudi Arabia?
The US-Saudi starchy nuclear deal signed in July gives US companies the opportunity to work on large nuclear power projects in Saudi Arabia. The US wardship says the try-on aims to enhance peaceful nuclear energy cooperation and maintain nuclear non-proliferation standards. Also, Washington wants Riyadh not to depend on countries like Russia and China in the nuclear sector.
Why are questions stuff raised regarding uranium enrichment?
Under the agreement, there is a provision to initially limit uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia to less than 5 percent. After spare study and written approval, the way to increase it to 20 percent may be opened. Although 20 percent enriched uranium is far unelevated weapons-grade enrichment of 90 percent, experts and lawmakers have raised concerns that domestic enrichment topics could be remoter used for a military programme.
The sobering intelligence outlook has compounded concerns from U.S. lawmakers well-nigh Trump‘s nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, which they fear could enable the minutiae of a nuclear weapon and spark an stovepipe race in the volatile Middle East...
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) September 25, 2026Why question the spare protocol of IAEA?
Another issue regarding the deal is the spare protocol of the International Atomic Energy Agency i.e. IAEA. According to reports, this has not been made mandatory in the agreement. The Spare Protocol gives the IAEA spare powers to investigate potential undeclared activities in wing to a country's supposed nuclear activities. For this reason, some American lawmakers want increasingly clarity regarding the monitoring system of the Saudi nuclear programme.
Why are US lawmakers opposing the deal?
A group of lawmakers led by Democratic senators Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley have written a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing snooping over the agreement. He says the proposed wattle could requite Saudi Arabia a way to proceeds the topics to enrich uranium. Although this is the objection of lawmakers, the US State Department has said that the US does not and will not support the Saudi nuclear weapons programme.
What does Saudi Arabia have to say?
Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman has previously said that the country's nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes and will be ripened with responsibility and transparency. Therefore, at present there is a well-spoken difference between the apprehensions expressed in the American intelligence towage and the public stance of the Saudi government.
What will happen in the US Congress now?
The US-Saudi nuclear deal is currently undergoing a 90-day congressional review process. MPs have the option to lodge an objection to the try-on during this period and initiate a process to woodcut it. After the intelligence towage comes out, the political and security related debate on this review is likely to intensify further.
