Saudi Arabia Unveils Plans to Enrich and Sell Uranium
Saudi Arabia has announced its intention to begin enriching and selling uranium, according to the Ministry of Energy.
Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud made this declaration at a recent conference in Dhahran, emphasizing that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to monetize the kingdom’s mineral resources.
The minister stated, “We will enrich it and we will sell it and we will do a ‘yellowcake’,” referring to the powdered concentrate used as a precursor for uranium fuel in nuclear reactors. He noted that while yellowcake requires careful handling, it poses minimal radiation risks.
This move is a significant step for Saudi Arabia as it develops its nascent nuclear program, which aims to diversify the country’s energy sources.
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However, the plans for uranium enrichment raise concerns due to the potential link to nuclear weapons capabilities. The kingdom maintains that its nuclear ambitions are focused on peaceful energy production.
Uncertainties remain regarding the extent of Saudi Arabia’s nuclear aspirations. In 2018, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman indicated that the kingdom would pursue nuclear weapons if its regional rival, Iran, developed a similar capability. This sentiment was echoed in subsequent statements by Saudi officials.
Last year, Saudi Arabia announced plans to move away from oversight of its nuclear facilities by the United Nations atomic watchdog, opting instead for regular safeguards by the end of 2024.
Currently, the kingdom has yet to activate its first nuclear reactor, which allows it to operate under the Small Quantities Protocol (SQP) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
This agreement enables less advanced nations to bypass many reporting and inspection requirements.
In contrast, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has successfully launched the Arab world’s first multi-unit operating nuclear power plant but has committed not to enrich uranium or reprocess spent fuel.
As Saudi Arabia advances its nuclear agenda, regional dynamics continue to shift. Recently, Iran and European powers engaged in discussions about Tehran’s nuclear program, coinciding with the upcoming inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump’s first term saw a withdrawal from a landmark nuclear deal with Iran, which had imposed restrictions in exchange for sanctions relief.
With these developments, the international community watches closely as Saudi Arabia forges ahead with its uranium plans amid a complex geopolitical landscape.
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