Saudi Arabia could have some form of uranium enrichment within the kingdom under a proposed nuclear deal with the United States. That's according to congressional documents and an arms control group. Both U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden tried to reach a nuclear deal with the kingdom to share American technology. Nonproliferation experts warn any spinning centrifuges within Saudi Arabia could open the door to a possible weapons program for the kingdom. The kingdom's assertive crown prince has suggested he could pursue a nuclear weapon if Tehran obtains an atomic bomb.
Iran's president has ordered the country to suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency after American airstrikes hit its most-important nuclear facilities. State media online on Wednesday reported the decision by President Masoud Pezeshkian. It follows a law passed by Iran's parliament to suspend that cooperation. It wasn't immediately clear what that would mean for U.N. watchdog IAEA. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled in a CBS News interview that Tehran still would be willing to continue negotiations with the United States.
By SAM MEDNICK, NATALIE MELZER and JON GAMBRELL Associated Press
Israel's defense minister threatened Iran's supreme leader after Iranian missiles damaged a hospital in southern Israel and hit residential buildings near Tel Aviv. At least 240 people were wounded. Meanwhile Israel struck a heavy water reactor linked to Iran's nuclear program. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz blamed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said the military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist." U.S. officials said earlier this week that President Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei. The White House announced Thursday that Trump will decide whether to join Israel's campaign against Iran's military and nuclear program within two weeks.
