Assad-era Syrian reactor was configured for nuclear weapons, IAEA chief says

Saudi Arabia is set to grant the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expanded verification and monitoring capabilities for its sensitive nuclear operations as part of its planned civil nuclear partnership with the United States, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. The additional authorizations being negotiated are expected to closely mirror certain provisions of the IAEA Additional Protocol, which typically grants enhanced inspections, particularly for activities like uranium conversion, enrichment, and spent-fuel reprocessing.

Grossi stated that while the arrangements being developed would not require Saudi Arabia to formally adopt the Additional Protocol, they would be "very, very similar" to its powers in those areas. The extra safeguards would apply to operations considered sensitive as they could produce or handle materials that could potentially be used for nuclear weapons if diverted from peaceful purposes.

Though the IAEA Additional Protocol is considered the "ideal setup" for safeguards, the article suggests that Saudi Arabia is preparing to extend its obligations beyond the core commitments of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA, though no specific details were provided. The US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement, signed in July, allows for the transfer of American nuclear materials, technology, and equipment to Saudi Arabia under Section 123 of US atomic-energy law.

Unlike stricter US nuclear cooperation arrangements, this agreement does not compel Riyadh to forgo uranium enrichment or spent-fuel reprocessing or sign the Additional Protocol, leading to criticism from arms-control experts and some US lawmakers.