U.S. Intelligence Assesses Saudi Arabia Has Not Ruled Out Developing Nuclear Weapons

Classified documents provided to Congress include an assessment by the U.S. intelligence community that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out the option of developing a nuclear weapons program, according to U.S. officials. The assessment has compounded concerns among some U.S. lawmakers about President Donald Trump's agreement to help the kingdom establish a civilian nuclear program. The U.S.-Saudi 123 civil nuclear cooperation agreement was signed in July. At the IAEA General Conference in Vienna on September 14, Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman said the kingdom's choices on peaceful nuclear energy go "hand in hand with the highest levels of responsibility and transparency," citing voluntary safeguards arrangements with the United States.