UAE, U.S. sign nuclear deal

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The United States is planning to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United Arab Emirates.

The deal, expected to be signed within the next few weeks, would be the first nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and a Middle Eastern country, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

There are reportedly plans in the future for additional agreements with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Bahrain.

"This is a real counterexample to what Iran is doing. ... We're seeking commitments from nations within the Middle East that they're going to rely on the markets for nuclear fuel," a senior U.S. official said.

Under the agreement, the United States will share nuclear fuels and technologies with the UAE, as long as the UAE abides by the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.