Key facts
- The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have signed a nuclear deal that could allow the kingdom to enrich uranium.
- The deal will be submitted to Congress for review, where it may face opposition.
- House Republicans are drafting a $95 billion bill to fund the war with Iran and provide aid to farmers.
- The U.S. military has conducted extensive strikes on military targets in Iran.
- Yemen's Houthi militia attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
The United States has finalized a significant nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, potentially allowing the kingdom to enrich uranium, a move that will be submitted to Congress for review. Lawmakers may oppose the deal due to concerns about insufficient safeguards and monitoring, especially given the ongoing U.S. military actions against Iran, which are partly aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia has previously indicated it would seek nuclear technology from other nations, such as China or Russia, if the U.S. did not cooperate.
Amid escalating conflict, House Republicans have agreed to draft a $95 billion bill to fund the war with Iran and provide aid to farmers. The defense secretary stated the war with Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far, with the Trump administration requesting substantial supplemental funding. The U.S. military has continued its nightly strikes on Iran, targeting maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage, and air defense systems.
In parallel, Yemen's Houthi militia attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, with one vessel reportedly ablaze. This incident highlights ongoing regional instability.
Separately, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has demanded answers from Barclays regarding its investigation into the ties between former CEO Jes Staley and the late Jeffrey Epstein. A modeling scout linked to Epstein was also found dead near Paris while under investigation.