‘Shocking’ timing: US shared nuclear tech with Saudi Arabia soon after killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
- Trump administration granted first of two authorisations on October 18 last year, 16 days after Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul
- Timing of approvals likely to heap pressure on president, with lawmakers becoming increasingly critical of US support for Saudi Arabia since journalist’s death
The Trump administration granted two authorisations to US companies to share sensitive nuclear power information with Saudi Arabia soon after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October, a US senator who saw the approvals said on Tuesday.
The timing of the approvals is likely to heap pressure on the administration of US President Donald Trump from lawmakers who have become increasingly critical of US support for Saudi Arabia since Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October.
Khashoggi, a native of Saudi Arabia, left in 2017 to became a US resident where he published columns in The Washington Post critical of the kingdom’s leadership.
Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, where Khashoggi lived, called the timing of the approvals “shocking”. The Department of Energy granted the first authorisation on October 18, 16 days after Khashoggi was killed. The second occurred on February 18.
US authorities have concluded that responsibility for Khashoggi’s death went to the highest levels of the Saudi government. Riyadh denies that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved.
The authorisations were among seven granted to US companies by Trump’s administration since 2017, as Washington and Riyadh negotiate a potential wider agreement to help Saudi Arabia develop its first two nuclear power reactors.
The Energy Department has kept the companies involved in the sharing of nuclear technology information with the kingdom confidential, citing the need to protect business interests.