US Senate proposal would block Saudi path to atomic weapon in nuclear deal

The Trump administration is trying to advance nuclear energy technology domestically & abroad as the industry suffers from supplies of cheap natural gas and high safety costs at home.

us nuclear deal, saudi blocked by us, saudi atomic deal, trump administration, nuclear enerdy technology, saudi will develop nuclear weapons, nuclear fuel, saudi-us ties, world news, indian express news — It is unclear whether a majority of the 100-member Senate would support the resolution of Democrats Jeff Merkley and Ed Markey and Republican Rand Paul. The resolution is also non-binding on the US government. (Bloomberg)

US senators from both parties introduced a resolution on Tuesday requiring that any deal to share US nuclear power technology with Saudi Arabia block the kingdom from making a nuclear weapon.

Under the measure, any US civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, or 123 agreement, with Saudi Arabia would prevent enrichment of uranium or reprocess of plutonium made in reactors – two routes to making nuclear weapons.

It is unclear whether a majority of the 100-member Senate would support the resolution of Democrats Jeff Merkley and Ed Markey and Republican Rand Paul. The resolution is also non-binding on the US government.

But with significant support, it would signal concern in Congress over Saudi-led bombing campaigns in Yemen and over the killing of US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October.