Nuclear program of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia plans to use its own uranium resources to develop the kingdom's civilian nuclear programme, its energy minister has said.

The world's biggest oil exporter is trying to reduce its dependence on crude and announced in 2018 a plan to build 16 nuclear reactors over two decades. 

U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry has approved six secret authorizations by companies to sell nuclear power technology and assistance to Saudi Arabia, according to a copy of a document seen by Reuters on March 27.

An Israeli cabinet minister said on Nov. 19 that Israel has had covert contacts with Saudi Arabia amid common concerns over Iran, a first disclosure by a senior official from either country of long-rumored secret dealings.

Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to start procuring uranium in the kingdom as part of its developing nuclear program. A high-ranking Saudi official termed it the first step to "self-sufficiency" in nuclear fuel production.

Oil giant Saudi Arabia, which is trying to diversify its energy sources, signed an agreement on Oct. 19 with Hungary to cooperate in the peaceful use of atomic energy.

It is the latest pact of its kind signed by the world's largest oil exporter, which earlier this year reached similar agreements with Russia and South Korea.