Frank's Musings

The deal announced on 22 July 2026 between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia permitting the Kingdom to enrich uranium used for peaceful nuclear energy generation is likely a forerunner to an eventual U.S. concession to Iran that would allow the Islamic Republic similarly to develop its own domestic nuclear power industry in return for ending its interference with shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This is a risky bargain for Trump to make, but the Iranian regime seems to have forced Trump to admit that he and Netanyahu overplayed their cards by attacking Iran.

I wonder if MBS is comfortable with an incipient nuclear rival across the Persian Gulf.  That decision may reflect his anticipation of the eventual reduction of Saudi Arabia's oil-based economic prominence.