US and Saudi Arabia Sign Civil Nuclear (123) Cooperation Agreement
The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a Section 123 Agreement (under the US Atomic Energy Act, 1954) allowing Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear programme, alongside a bilateral safeguards agreement. It was signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. Notably, the deal does not include uranium enrichment. It must be submitted to the US Congress for review. Some US lawmakers warned it could trigger a regional nuclear race, particularly in relation to Iran.
A 123 Agreement is named after Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act, 1954 | The India-US civil nuclear 123 Agreement was signed in 2008 | IAEA (nuclear watchdog) HQ: Vienna
The US and Saudi Arabia signed a Section 123 civil-nuclear cooperation agreement (excluding uranium enrichment), subject to US Congressional review.