US signs landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia
The US Department of Energy says the "peaceful" co-operation agreement will give US firms "great access" to the Saudi nuclear energy programme.
Specific details were not given but earlier media reports , externalsuggested that, after undertaking a joint study with the US, Saudi Arabia may be allowed to enrich uranium on its soil to produce fuel at a US-built enrichment facility, instead of relying on imported fuel.
This could be worth billions of dollars to the US, whose companies could be involved in building a facility to produce enriched uranium, which can be used as fuel for power plants but also to make nuclear bombs.
According to Wednesday's statement, the deal will "advance US and regional security by upholding high standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation and strengthening the United States' competitive edge in civil nuclear technology".
"Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world's best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States," said US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.
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