Riyadh: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday laid the foundation stone for the kingdom´s first nuclear research reactor, state media said, as the kingdom seeks to diversify its energy mix.
The reactor was among seven projects launched by the prince during a visit to Riyadh´s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.
SPA offered no details on when the research or non-power reactor -- typically used for research, development and education purposes -- would be built and at what cost.
Saudi Arabia currently draws on oil and natural gas to meet its own fast-growing power demand and desalinate its water.
The world´s top crude exporter harbours plans to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next two decades for $80 billion as it seeks to diversify, despite concerns over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
Prince Mohammed said in March that if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, Riyadh will do so too.
In an interview with CBS television, he likened regional rival Iran´s supreme leader to Hitler, saying he "wants to create his own project in the Middle East".
Riyadh held deep reservations over the 2015 accord aimed at curbing Iran´s nuclear ambitions and hailed President Donald Trump´s announcement in May that the United States was withdrawing from the deal.
Monday´s announcement comes as the US vowed to be "relentless" in countering Iran as sweeping new sanctions took effect.
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