WP: US intelligence admits Saudi Arabia’s desire to create nuclear weapons

Saudi Arabia does not rule out the possibility of creating nuclear weapons, according to the US intelligence community. This conclusion is contained in the documents that the American intelligence agencies passed to Congress, reports The Washington Post (WP), citing sources.

The publication indicates that the report of the intelligence agencies has exacerbated the concerns of members of Congress about the agreement of Donald trump with Riyadh in the field of civil nuclear energy. Lawmakers fear the deal opens the way for Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons and triggers an arms race in the region.

The State Department, which has also sent its own thoughts to Congress on the Riyadh deal, expresses far more confidence in the Saudi government’s safeguards and safeguards than intelligence. In a statement, the ministry said the United States "does not and will not support the Saudi nuclear weapons program.".

The 30-year agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia was signed on July 22. It gives Riyadh technology and equipment from the United States, and a key part of the multibillion-dollar deal will be the construction of the American Westinghouse AP1000 reactors in Saudi territory.

Democrats fear that allowing Riyadh to enrich uranium up to 20 percent would risk leaking nuclear material for military purposes. Now the Capitol is conducting a three-month review of the document, according to which lawmakers can block the initiative.

In the article “Kommersant” “The nuclear deal was hidden in letters”.