Trump submits Saudi nuclear agreement to Congress

US President Donald Trump has submitted a landmark nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review, while maintaining a condition that Riyadh normalise relations with Israel, a US administration official said.

According to an American newspaper, the move is expected to prompt months of debate among lawmakers over how to expand the US nuclear industry while limiting the spread of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East.

When Trump administration officials announced the 30-year agreement last month, they said it would give US companies a central role in developing Saudi Arabia’s nuclear infrastructure and exclude foreign competitors.

However, the agreement has proved controversial because it could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its territory.

Trump has continued to insist that the deal is contingent on Saudi Arabia establishing diplomatic relations with Israel.

By Aghakazim Guliyev