Saudi Arabia is nearing completion of its first nuclear reactor, satellite images of the facility show, triggering warnings about the risks of the kingdom using the technology without signing up to the international rules governing the industry.
The research facility is located in the southwest corner of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh, according to images published by Google Earth.
The satellite photos are the first in the public domain to confirm that the program is advancing, showing construction nearing its finish around a columnar vessel that will contain atomic fuel.