Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.

Saudi Arabia says to commit to highest nuclear safety standards

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 25 Sep 2023 18:46
4 Min Read

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister underlines that his country would adhere to strict nuclear safety standards were it to get its hands on atomic energy.

  • x
  • Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman leaves the podium after his speech at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 31, 2022 (AP)
    Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman leaves the podium after his speech at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 31, 2022 (AP)

Saudi Arabia is committed to the highest nuclear safety standards, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said during the gathering of IAEA member states on Monday amid bids to erect a nuclear power plant in Saudi Arabia.

Russia, China, and France are all vying to lay the cornerstone for the Saudi power plant as the nation itself seeks to sign several deals ahead of going into a contract with the states in question.

"The Kingdom is committed through its national policy on atomic energy to the highest standards of transparency and reliability… The kingdom is working to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy across various fields through close cooperation with the agency," bin Salman said.

"This includes the Saudi national atomic energy project through its various components, including the building of the first nuclear power plant in the kingdom," the Minister added in Vienna.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the nuclear agency of the United Nations, kicked off a five-day conference that brought together its 176 member states and "Israel" at the headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

Saudi Arabia, according to its energy minister, wants to possess and develop nuclear technology to deliver on the sustainable development goals it had pledged to implement as part of Saudi Vision 2030.

"We look forward to cooperating a regional cooperation center with the agency to develop human capabilities and preparedness and response to radiological and nuclear emergencies as well as other regulatory aspects," he said.

Bin Salman underlined that Saudi Arabia was committed to the Treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) while reaffirming the importance of fully implementing the 1955 resolution establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region.

Related News

Al-Sharaa meets US CENTCOM commander, envoy Barrack in Damascus

S. Arabia says still interested in normalizing ties with 'Israel'

The Saudi energy minister finally pledged a donation of $2.5 million to the UN nuclear watchdog's Rays of Hope initiative seeking to provide radiotherapy to cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries.

China, Russia, France, and South Korea have been vying for the contract to erect two nuclear power plants with a capacity of some 1.4 GW each, entering a bidding war for the deal.

Russian state nuclear energy agency Rosatom has since October 2017 been bidding to build Saudi Arabia's first nuclear power plant, with China also submitting a bid in August 2023.

Saudi Arabia has been seeking US assistance to develop a civilian nuclear program as part of ongoing talks brokered by the US aimed at normalizing relations between Riyadh and "Israel." This intricate arrangement could reshape Middle East geopolitics.

In response to reports that US and Israeli officials were discussing a US-managed uranium enrichment program in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that if Iran were to "acquire a nuclear weapon," Saudi Arabia would feel compelled to follow suit.

A contentious issue

The negotiations for a potential normalization deal involve the US providing Riyadh with security assurances and support for a civilian nuclear program. In return, Saudi Arabia would normalize relations with "Israel" and seek concessions from it regarding the Palestinian issue.

The matter of allowing Saudi Arabia to develop a civil nuclear program has been one of the most contentious aspects of these talks. Concerns have arisen over the potential for uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia, as it could eventually facilitate nuclear weapon production. The US has been more inclined toward Saudi Arabia procuring nuclear fuel from the international market rather than enabling on-site uranium enrichment.

However, US officials have recently shown openness to Saudi Arabia's requests for civil nuclear cooperation and discussed ways to address Israeli concerns regarding Saudi uranium enrichment.

While some members of the Israeli security establishment have reservations about endorsing a US-backed Saudi nuclear program, others argue that Saudi Arabia has alternative options if the US rejects its demands.

This comes after a recent statement by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who admitted that Saudi Arabia was getting closer to normalizing ties with the Israeli occupation in an interview with Fox News.

  • Normalization
  • Normalization with Israel
  • Israel
  • IAEA
  • Israeli occupation
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS