US and Saudi Arabia Sign Nuclear Deal
The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a nuclear cooperation deal on Wednesday. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the agreements.
They signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation deal. They also signed a safeguards agreement.
The deal gives US companies access to Saudi Arabia's nuclear energy program. It could also let Saudi Arabia enrich uranium.
Wright said the deal follows top safety and nonproliferation standards. Congress must still review the agreement before it becomes law.
It will be submitted to Congress under the Atomic Energy Act. Some Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about nuclear proliferation risks.
The deal was signed as the United States bombs Iran. Those strikes aim to force Iran to give up its nuclear program.
Senator Chris Murphy warned the Saudi deal could trigger a regional nuclear race. Meanwhile Westinghouse's CEO called the deal a landmark step for the US nuclear industry.
Key Terms 4
- nonproliferation Efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons to more countries.
- enrich uranium A process that can make nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons material.
- safeguards agreement A deal to prevent nuclear materials from being misused.
- Atomic Energy Act A US law governing nuclear energy and materials.