Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, US assessment warns

US intelligence agencies have warned that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to classified documents provided to Congress. The assessment was included in documents submitted as part of a review of a US-Saudi agreement to expand civilian nuclear cooperation. The intelligence report raised concerns among some US lawmakers over the agreement, which would allow American companies to pursue nuclear energy projects in Saudi Arabia.

The deal initially limits uranium enrichment to below 5%, but allows it to rise to 20% after additional study and agreement. However, even uranium enriched to 20% remains below weapons-grade levels. The senators leading the review expressed worries that the agreement could enable Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium and potentially develop nuclear weapons.

They questioned the Saudi government's desire to enrich uranium domestically if its nuclear program was solely for civilian purposes and urged the US not to rely on Saudi assurances about its nuclear intentions.