US lawmakers say any civil nuclear deal with Saudi must not create arms race

WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers cautioned against ushering in a nuclear arms race in the Middle East after the United States and Saudi Arabia said they signed an initial agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed an initial civil nuclear cooperation agreement on Tuesday as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, made his first White House visit in more than seven years. Talks between the countries on nuclear power cooperation have been going on for years including during the administration of former President Joe Biden. But progress has been difficult because the Saudis have resisted U.S. stipulations that would rule out enriching uranium or reprocessing spent fuel – potential paths to a bomb. Democrat calls for enhanced inspections Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said any deal with Saudi Arabia must include enhanced inspections through an agreement known as the Additional Protoc

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