Trump's Saudi nuclear deal reaches Congress as experts warn of proliferation risk

The Trump administration's nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia has reached Congress, sparking concerns among some lawmakers and nonproliferation experts about the potential risks of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. The deal, which was finalized last year, aims to facilitate US exports of nuclear technology and materials to Saudi Arabia, but critics argue that it does not go far enough in preventing the kingdom from developing its own nuclear fuel cycle.

The main concern is that Saudi Arabia, which has been locked in a rivalry with Iran, could use the US-provided nuclear technology to develop nuclear weapons. The deal's critics point out that it does not include a permanent prohibition on enrichment or reprocessing, which are key steps in the nuclear fuel cycle that can be used to produce fissile material for nuclear weapons. This is a significant concern given the ongoing tensions in the region and the fact that Saudi Arabia has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Looking ahead, lawmakers will likely scrutinize the deal's provisions and assess the risks and benefits of US nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia. To watch next: Congressional hearings on the deal, where experts and administration officials will likely be grilled about the potential proliferation risks and the steps being taken to mitigate them. The outcome of these hearings could have implications for the future of US nuclear policy and the prospects for nuclear cooperation with other countries in the region.

Originally reported by cnbc.com. LargecapNews adds analysis for finance & markets readers.