Lawmakers in the U.S.Congress have expressed starkly divided reactions to the White House's announcement of a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia.Democrats, including Rep.Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Rep.Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.

), have criticized the deal, warning that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium without strict safeguards could trigger a regional nuclear arms race.They argue that the agreement undermines U.S.efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, as Saudi Arabia's nuclear program could embolden other Middle Eastern nations to pursue similar capabilities.Rep.Raskin accused the Trump administration of enabling a 'nuclear arms race' by allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, while Rep.Mark Alford (R-Miss.) emphasized the need for congressional oversight and the strategic importance of maintaining regional partnerships with Saudi Arabia.The agreement, announced by the Department of Energy, aims to support Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear energy program through U.S.technology and expertise, while including safeguards to prevent the diversion of nuclear materials for weapons development.

The deal reflects the Trump administration's dual strategy of strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia while applying pressure on Iran over its nuclear program, a policy that faces scrutiny from Congress and international observers.