Saudi Arabia may gain uranium enrichment capabilities under a proposed nuclear deal with the United States, raising concerns among arms control experts.

Axar.az, citing AP, reports that congressional documents suggest that the deal could include U.S. technology sharing, with oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over enrichment, fuel fabrication, and reprocessing.

While enrichment alone does not create nuclear weapons, experts warn it could provide a path toward potential weaponization.

The push for the deal comes amid rising tensions with Iran. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated, “If Iran obtains the bomb, we will have to get one,” highlighting the regional proliferation risks. Saudi Arabia also has a mutual defense pact with Pakistan, which could theoretically allow access to nuclear expertise if needed.

The proposed deal differs from the UAE’s nuclear program, which operates without enrichment, a model nonproliferation experts consider safer. Experts caution that while cooperation could increase transparency, “the devil is in the details,” emphasizing the need for strict safeguards to prevent nuclear escalation in the region.