The administration of US President Donald Trump has submitted a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to the US Congress for review.
Under the agreement, Saudi Arabia would be permitted to enrich uranium as part of its plans to develop a civilian nuclear energy programme.
However, a US administration official told The Hill, which closely monitors the activities of Congress, that President Trump added a condition after the agreement was signed.
According to the official, Trump’s position has not changed, and the agreement will not be implemented until Saudi Arabia joins the Abraham Accords and establishes diplomatic relations with Israel.
The agreement has also raised concerns about the possibility of an accelerated nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
The development comes as the United States has repeatedly stated over the past year that one of its key objectives in launching military strikes against Iran was to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to curb the possibility of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.