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New Saudi Energy Minister Wants to Enrich Uranium

Saudi Arabia’s newly minted energy minister announced plans to pursue a “full cycle” nuclear program, which would entail the enrichment of uranium. The statement came a day after King Salman appointed one of his sons to the new role. Saudi officials previously said that the kingdom would spend $80 billion to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next two decades. Media reported earlier this year that the Trump Administration was pushing an initiative to share nuclear technology with Saudi Arabia, despite the objections of members of Congress. Analysts have since warned that the atomic technology could enable Riyadh to pursue nuclear weapons amid heightened tensions with Iran.