US Investigates Possible Saudi Nuclear Development Linked to China

WSJ Reports on China-Saudi Linked Nuclear Activities, Followed by NYT Coverage

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia was discharged ten days after undergoing gallbladder removal surgery at Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, the capital, on the 30th of last month (local time). King Salman, who is 84 years old this year, handed over most of his executive powers to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017. [Provided by SPA News Agency] [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 6th (local time) that U.S. intelligence agencies are closely investigating the possibility of Saudi Arabia developing nuclear weapons, having partnered with China to establish nuclear fuel manufacturing capabilities.

According to the report, U.S. intelligence agencies recently circulated classified analysis materials regarding this program underway in Saudi Arabia in cooperation with China.

The analysis report contained warnings that Saudi Arabia and China might be conducting secret activities to process uranium into weapons-grade nuclear fuel, NYT reported.

U.S. intelligence agencies recently discovered a newly completed building near Al-Uyaynah, close to Riyadh, the Saudi capital, near a solar power complex. NYT stated that analysts inside and outside the U.S. government suspect this building to be one of several undeclared nuclear facilities.

Earlier, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) confirmed the establishment of a uranium ore extraction facility near Al-Ula in northwestern Saudi Arabia, reporting growing Western concerns over nuclear weapons development. This facility is also known to have been completed with China's assistance.

It is analyzed that Saudi Arabia, judging that the U.S. has not adequately responded to Iran's nuclear development?its regional rival competing for hegemony?has independently embarked on nuclear deterrence aimed at Iran.

U.S. administration officials believe Saudi Arabia's nuclear program is still in its early stages and that even if the Saudi government decides to pursue military nuclear development, it would take years to produce a single nuclear warhead, but suspicions are growing regarding Saudi Arabia's nuclear activities and the cooperation with China involved in this process.

Last week, the U.S. House Intelligence Committee inserted a provision into the intelligence budget-related law requiring the administration to submit reports to Congress on Saudi nuclear activities since 2015.