Live Update arrow right icon From the Liveblog of Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Gallant said to ask US for clarifications on proposed Saudi nuclear program

30 August 2023, 8:23 pm Edit
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (L) meets with White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk in New York on August 29, 2023. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (L) meets with White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk in New York on August 29, 2023. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant asked White House National Security Council Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk for clarifications regarding a possible Saudi nuclear program during their meeting in New York, the Walla news site reports.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly asked the US to green-light its development of a civilian nuclear program in exchange for the kingdom normalizing relations with Israel.

Israeli officials tell Walla that Israel is also seeking clarifications regarding advanced weapons the US could sell to Riyadh.

The officials say Israel wants the clarifications to develop a clear stand on the Saudi demands.

Among the questions posed to McGurk was how the US would ensure that the program would remain civilian and not develop into a military program, and how the US would ensure Israel’s continued qualitative military edge.

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