LyrArc Article Gist
US Saudi civilian nuclear agreement conditional on Saudis joining the Abraham Accords and full recognition of the state of Israel as was done by Bahrain and UAE. Saudis wanted a pathway to a two state solution before recognition and the two sides are far apart on this. A civilian nuclear agreement of this kind was seen as opening up nuclear proliferation and may have led to second thoughts by the DJT administration. South Korea and other nations also see this as not following US and European position on nuclear proliferation. A treaty signed in 1972 says South Korea is not allowed to process enriched uranium on its soil. Renewed in 2015 it held to the same position. Even though South Korea has 23 nuclear reactors it is not allowed to enrich uranium while Saudis are under the terms of the deal signed before Congress could even look at it, Saudis are allowed to both enrich uranium and to aoid inspections from International Atomic Agency to ensure nothing is being diverted to a weapons program.