Saudi Arabia to Grant IAEA Enhanced Nuclear Investigative Powers Following US Agreement
Saudi Arabia is preparing to grant the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) additional verification and monitoring authorizations for its nuclear program. This development follows a civil nuclear power cooperation agreement reached in July between the United States and Saudi Arabia, which permits Riyadh to enrich uranium and construct nuclear reactors using US technology. While the planned '123 agreement' does not include Saudi Arabia signing the Additional Protocol, which provides the UN nuclear watchdog with sweeping inspection powers, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi stated that Riyadh is working towards provisions 'very, very similar' to those found in the Additional Protocol. These enhanced authorizations will specifically cover sensitive activities such as uranium enrichment, uranium conversion, and reprocessing, which involves separating plutonium from spent reactor fuel. Non-proliferation groups, including the Arms Control Association, have previously criticized the US-Saudi agreement for not incorpor...
