Yeah I figured that, but aren’t Saudi plants online already? They were almost complete a year ago.
Not yet - and the one they completed is a research reactor, to become familiar with operations and train personnel. Much like a ship, there’s fitting out time after the structures are complete, but there’s a couple sticking points.
1. They refuse to let the IAEA in to inspect and monitor their reactor facilities and to abide by IAEA rules, which means:
2. Nobody will sell them nuclear fuel.
No fuel, no working reactor. The UAE signed on to the IAEA and has not only permitted them to come in but has apparently been inviting in the IAEA and every other nuclear regulatory or certificatory body they can find to inspect, monitor, help train and audit them.