The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a nuclear cooperation agreement that could allow the Middle-Eastern kingdom to enrich uranium domestically, marking a departure from previous policy. Few details have been disclosed, but the deal provides for construction of a civilian enrichment facility following a US-Saudi study. The United States has maintained that assisting the Saudis in their long-term goal of domestic uranium enrichment will not lead to increased risk of nuclear proliferation in the volatile region.

This follows reporting from February of this year that a proposed technology sharing agreement could pave the way for Saudi nuclear enrichment and weapons program development, something the country’s crown prince has maintained as an option if Iran nears nuclear capability.

Full report: US and Saudi Arabia sign new nuclear agreement that could pave way for kingdom to enrich uranium.