The expected announcement of a U.S. agreement with Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear program has raised concerns in Israel, with critics saying it could lead to a regional race for nuclear power and even the development of a bomb.
The agreement, firstreported on Tuesday, could enable Saudi Arabia to enrich its own fuel for nuclear reactors. It took many by surprise in Israel, which has its own secretive nuclear weapons program, including official nuclear research facilities.
Saudi Arabia has long pushed for access to U.S. nuclear technology, but Israel had hoped that a deal would be conditional on the kingdom opening diplomatic ties with the country.
Former Israeli senior defense officials and analysts said that, at best, the deal would erode the possibility for normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia. At worst, some argued, it could spur more Middle Eastern countries to seek their own nuclear programs.
An Israeli minister sought to downplay the deal, but critics said it could spur other regional countries to pursue a nuclear program, and potentially the creation of a bomb.
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