Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana expressed his concerns regarding President Donald Trump's nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia during an interview on CBS News' Face the Nation. Kennedy stated that while the deal is a commercial agreement, it raises concerns about potential nuclear proliferation, especially as the U.S. is actively working to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He remarked, 'No. Maybe someday, but not right now,' in response to whether he is comfortable with the deal.
Kennedy highlighted that the global perception of the deal could lead other countries to consider acquiring nuclear weapons, particularly in light of current geopolitical tensions. He noted, 'The world looks at what’s going on in Ukraine, the Middle East... People are scared, that’s why I say hair trigger.' He also mentioned that the timing of the deal is problematic, as it does not require Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel, a condition set by the Biden administration.
The White House has warned that failure to normalize relations with Israel could result in consequences for Saudi Arabia. Historically, Saudi Arabia has resisted establishing diplomatic ties with Israel without a clear resolution for the Palestinian state. The U.S. has encouraged Saudi Arabia to purchase nuclear fuel from the open market rather than enriching uranium domestically. Kennedy's comments reflect a broader skepticism regarding the implications of the deal, which some, including Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, have criticized as a negative trend.