US Senators Demand Transparency on Trump Administration’s Nuclear Deal with Saudi Arabia

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a number of senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday called on the administration of President Donald Trump to release all information related to the proposed agreement with Saudi Arabia concerning civilian nuclear energy. This development was reported by Mehr News Agency, citing Reuters.

In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright, which Reuters obtained, the senators requested the disclosure of two confidential “side letters” that accompanied the proposed agreement with Riyadh. The letter stated that the U.S. government has entered into numerous civilian nuclear energy agreements, known as “123 Agreements,” with other countries without concealing such information.

The senators emphasized the necessity of accessing the full text of the agreement to enable the Senate and the public to thoroughly comprehend the commitments undertaken by the American people, as well as Saudi Arabia’s obligations toward the United States. As of now, the U.S. Departments of State and Energy have not responded to requests for comment on this matter.

This initiative was spearheaded by Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Ed Markey of Massachusetts. The letter was also signed by thirteen additional Democratic senators, one independent senator aligned with Democrats, and two Republican senators: Rand Paul of Kentucky and John Kennedy of Louisiana.

In August, Donald Trump presented the proposed agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress, initiating a 90-day review period for lawmakers, during which they have the opportunity to attempt to pass a resolution of disapproval. Since that time, several lawmakers have exerted pressure to declassify the two side letters and release related documents concerning the agreement.