The United States and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement that could pave the way for the kingdom to develop uranium enrichment capabilities for its civilian nuclear programme.US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the agreement, known as a 123 agreement, along with what the Trump administration described as a bilateral safeguards agreement.While the administration released few details, the framework is expected to allow a joint US-Saudi study on building a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia. The agreement is expected to remain in force for 30 years and involve US companies in developing the programme."These agreements reflect our two nations' shared commitment to strengthening US-Saudi commercial relations, delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad," Wright said."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," he added.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the deal, rejecting concerns that it could fuel nuclear proliferation in the region."The US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation," Rubio said.The agreement will now be submitted to the US Congress for review, where it could face opposition from lawmakers concerned that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium could eventually increase the risk of nuclear weapon development.The announcement comes as the US and Israel continue military operations against Iran, with Washington maintaining that Tehran's uranium enrichment programme could enable it to develop nuclear weapons, a claim Iran denies, insisting its programme is for peaceful purposes.