President Donald Trump’s administration said the agreement would bring billions of dollars in investment to the US nuclear industry.
The United States is set to announce a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, according to media reports, as tensions rise amid renewed clashes between the Gulf kingdom and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The New York Times, citing two unnamed US officials, reported that the Trump administration plans to formally sign and unveil the agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump’s administration said the agreement would bring billions of dollars in investment to the US nuclear industry.
Under the 30-year agreement, US companies could build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia if a joint assessment concludes that such a project is necessary, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The agreement is expected to be presented to Congress in the coming days, though lawmakers’ approval is not required for the deal to take effect.
The announcement comes as fighting between the United States and Iran intensifies, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen warning they could widen the conflict by imposing a blockade on Saudi ports.
Saudi Arabia and the Houthis exchanged fire last week for the first time in years, raising concerns over the collapse of a 2022 truce. However, the rebels have largely stayed out of the conflict since Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran in late February.
