Saudi Arabia has been reluctant to accept broader nuclear inspections, according to officials familiar with the talks, a position that has sharpened scrutiny of a United States deal that could let the kingdom advance its civil nuclear programme under weaker safeguards than Washington has traditionally demanded. The agreement, backed by Donald Trump, is expected to give American companies a role in building Saudi nuclear infrastructure while leaving open the possibility of uranium enrichment in the future.
The row matters because Saudi Arabia wants access to nuclear technology, while members of Congress and non-proliferation specialists say weaker inspections could open a pathway to weapons capability. The White House is expected to submit the agreement to Congress, setting up a political fight over whether the deal protects US security interests or concedes too much to Saudi demands.
