Trump Approves Nuclear Deal with Saudi Arabia

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump has approved an agreement with Saudi Arabia to develop the kingdom's nuclear infrastructure in the Gulf region.

The deal has the potential to pave the way for uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials as reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Wednesday, July 22.

The agreement, which is valid for 30 years, is estimated to be worth tens of billions of US dollars.

The agreement will require United States companies to build uranium enrichment facilities in Saudi Arabia if both sides assess the move is necessary.

A number of officials expressed concern that the agreement did not contain adequate security guarantees for the United States.

Meanwhile, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright is scheduled to sign the agreement on Wednesday, before it is submitted to Congress for review.

The report said the agreement was likely to spark controversy among members of Congress who oppose the spread of nuclear technology in the volatile Middle East.

To thwart the agreement, Congress must pass a joint resolution and obtain a two-thirds majority in both chambers (senate and parliament) to override the president's veto.