What is the history of Saudi Arabia's nuclear program?

 The history of Saudi Arabia's nuclear program dates back to the 1960s when the country first showed interest in nuclear energy. In the 1970s, Saudi Arabia started its civilian nuclear program and established the King Abd Al-Aziz Centre for Science and Technology (KAACST) in Riyadh in 1977

12

. The Atomic Energy Research Institute (AERI) was later established in 1988

12

.Saudi Arabia has been a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 1962 and has signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

1

. The country has not pursued nuclear weapons and has been an advocate for a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East

1

. However, Saudi officials have expressed that they would acquire nuclear weapons if their regional rival, Iran, does

4

.In 2011, Saudi Arabia announced plans to construct 16 nuclear power reactors within 25 years, with an estimated cost of $80 billion

5

. The country has explored potential partnerships with various countries, including the United States, Russia, China, and South Korea, for its nuclear power projects

7

. Saudi Arabia has also collaborated with Argentina on a reactor project and has pursued joint nuclear projects with China, including one to extract uranium from seawater

13

.While Saudi Arabia has spent years developing a civilian nuclear program, it has rejected limits on its ability to control the production of nuclear fuel

13

. The country has been systematically acquiring skills in uranium exploration, nuclear engineering, and ballistic missile manufacturing

13

. As of now, no nuclear reactors have been sold to Saudi Arabia, and the country is still in the process of evaluating proposals and potential collaborations

5

.