Saudi Arabia announced on Monday its intention to eliminate the light oversight of its nuclear facilities currently provided by the U.N. atomic watchdog, opting instead for regular safeguards by the end of this year, a move that has been advocated by the watchdog for some time.

The kingdom is looking to expand its emerging nuclear program, which may eventually encompass activities such as uranium enrichment that are sensitive to proliferation. The extent of its ambitions remains uncertain, particularly as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has indicated that the country would pursue nuclear weapons if its regional adversary, Iran, does the same.

Riyadh has not yet activated its first nuclear reactor, which allows its program to remain under the Small Quantities Protocol (SQP), an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that relieves less advanced nations from numerous reporting and inspection requirements. “The kingdom has submitted a request to the agency in July 2024 to revoke the Small Quantities Protocol and fully implement the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement,” stated Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman at the IAEA’s annual General Conference, speaking through an interpreter. “We are currently collaborating with the agency to finalize all necessary subsidiary agreements to effectively rescind the SQP by the end of December this year.”

A year ago, Prince Abdulaziz had announced the decision to abandon the SQP, but he did not specify a timeline, and there were no immediate indications of progress.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has urged the numerous states still operating under SQPs to amend or revoke them, labeling them a “weakness” in the global non-proliferation framework. The IAEA has been engaged in discussions with Riyadh for years regarding the transition to a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, which includes provisions for inspections in countries that have ratified the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

“Saudi Arabia’s decision to revoke its Small Quantities Protocol enhances the IAEA’s capacity to verify the peaceful use of nuclear materials within the country,” Grossi remarked.