The proposed civil nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia is advancing without the stringent safeguards that Democratic lawmakers have advocated. A letter from the US State Department to Senator Edward Markey reveals that the pact will only establish a bilateral safeguards agreement, rather than the comprehensive oversight from the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that lawmakers sought. Concerns are heightened by comments from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who indicated that the kingdom might pursue nuclear weapons if Iran does so. Lawmakers have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to push for a 'gold standard' in non-proliferation protections, which would prevent uranium enrichment and nuclear waste reprocessing, but this standard is notably absent from the current draft of the agreement. The State Department asserts that the agreement, which is in its final review stage, lays the foundation for a multi-billion-dollar nuclear partnership, emphasizing a commitment to nuclear safety and non-proliferation. Critics, including Senator Markey, argue that the pact undermines national security by allowing nuclear technology transfer to a nation with potential nuclear ambitions. Congress will have 90 days to review the agreement once signed, presenting an opportunity for opposition.