00:00The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark civil nuclear agreement,
00:05opening the door for American technology to help build the kingdom's nuclear power sector.
00:11Here's what you need to know.
00:12After years of negotiations under multiple U.S. administrations,
00:17Washington and Riyadh have reached a deal that allows Saudi Arabia
00:21to develop a civilian nuclear program with U.S. support.
00:25The agreement, known as a 123 agreement, allows Saudi Arabia to use American nuclear technology,
00:33build reactors, enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel.
00:39The deal is expected to run for around 30 years and could involve tens of billions of dollars in investment.
00:45U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman
00:51cite the agreement alongside a bilateral safeguards agreement.
00:56The deal is part of Saudi Arabia's broader plans to expand its energy sector and develop nuclear power.
01:03It also gives U.S. companies a key role in building the kingdom's nuclear infrastructure,
01:09including potential work on American-designed reactors.
01:12The agreement now moves to the U.S. Congress for review.
01:17Lawmakers will have 90 days of continuous congressional sessions to raise objections.
01:23If Congress does not block the deal, it will move forward,
01:27marking a major step in U.S.-Saudi energy cooperation.
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