The US-Saudi nuclear deal: Don’t settle, renegotiate – opinion

The proposed US-Saudi nuclear deal, which would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, is criticized for potentially triggering widespread nuclear proliferation. The author argues that this deal could undermine non-proliferation efforts by setting a precedent for other nations. Specifically, Iran could demand similar rights, and the UAE might renegotiate its existing agreement, which prohibits enrichment, due to a clause allowing renegotiation if neighbors receive more generous terms. Additionally, Egypt and Turkey, both with ongoing nuclear projects, could seek to develop their own fuel-making capabilities, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan having previously stated that Turkey should acquire nuclear weapons if other nations do. The article highlights Saudi Arabia's refusal to adopt full International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections and suggests that even a "blackboxed" enrichment plant on Saudi soil could be seized. The author concludes that the US should renegotiate the deal with Riyadh, mirroring the 2009 agreement with the UAE that prohibited fuel-making, to prevent a global proliferation threat.