Saudi Arabia has announced that it will begin selling enriched uranium to countries that need it for nuclear power generation. Enriched uranium, or yellowcake, is needed for nuclear power stations but cannot be used to produce weapons.
The uranium will be sold even though Saudi Arabia does not yet have a nuclear plant but plans to build one to diversify its energy sources. A geological survey conducted four years ago estimated that there are 90,000 tons of uranium in Saudi Arabia. This is sufficient for local energy needs and exports.
Currently, only the United Arab Emirates and Iran have nuclear power plants. Iraq used to have one but it is no longer operating due to war.
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