Arms control groups and politicians from both the ruling Republicans and the opposition Democrats had previously insisted that the government in Riyadh forego these technologies in order to prevent a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. The report raises doubts about whether the government has carefully considered the risks of nuclear proliferation, said Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association (ACA). The Trump administration could formally submit the so-called 123 agreement to Congress as early as February 22nd. Parliament would then have 90 days to block the deal with a resolution, otherwise it would automatically come into force.
The move comes at a time of growing concern about a new global nuclear arms race after the last major disarmament agreement between the United States and Russia expired earlier this month. Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said in 2023 that the kingdom would acquire nuclear weapons if regional rival Iran did so. “If they get one, we have to get one,” he told Fox News at the time. The White House and the Saudi Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment on the report.
Shortly before a possible decision by the US Supreme Court on the legality of far-reaching tariffs, US President Donald Trump justified them again. “The wording is clear: As president, I have the right to impose tariffs on national security grounds against countries that have exploited us for years,” he said at an event in Rome, Georgia.
Trump used the podium to point out alleged trade imbalances and warn of dangers to the domestic economy if he were not allowed to impose tariffs. Since the start of his second term, Trump has imposed tariffs on numerous countries. Meanwhile, experts assume that prices will rise for consumers as companies pass on at least some of the tariffs to consumers.
