Saudi Arabia Now Wants Nuclear Weapons

Saudi Arabia May Go Nuclear Because of Obama’s Iran Deal -- Eli Lake and Josh Rogin, Daily Beast

President Obama wants an agreement with Iran to prevent a Middle Eastern nuclear arms race, but it’s pushing Saudi Arabia toward its own nuke program.

Last month, America’s top Iran negotiator Wendy Sherman had some bad news for ambassadors from America’s Arab allies. In a meeting with envoys from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Gulf states, Sherman said that any bargain with Iran would likely leave Tehran, the Gulf states long-time enemy, with the capacity to enrich uranium, according to U.S. officials briefed on the encounter.

Sherman regularly briefs these allies after diplomatic talks with Iran, but in recent weeks those conversations have been different. While most of America’s Middle East allies—with the exception of Israel—have publicly supported the current Iran negotiations, behind the scenes, envoys from the region have expressed grave concerns that Iran could be left with a break out capacity to make the fuel for a nuclear weapon at a time of their choosing.

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My Comment: I am surprised that the U.S. left out the Saudis (and everyone else in the Middle East for that matter) when they were pursuing their secret talks with Iran .... I guess the White House assumed that if an Iranian nuclear deal was reached .... everyone would then toe the American line. Unfortunately .... even I know that the Saudis, Israelis, Gulf states, etc. would never acquiesce to such an arrangement .... especially if the Iran would be permitted to keep their enrichment facilities. Bottom line .... if an agreement is reached and Iran keeps it's nuclear program intact .... the Saudis will then respond with their program .... and quickly.

Update: This Time article from last November sums up the Saudi position .... and what will be their response to an Iranian nuclear deal.