Saudi Arabia Wants To Be A Nuclear Power

Satellite imagery from the company Planet shows construction of a small research reactor at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh. Planet Labs Inc 

New York Times: Inside Saudi Arabia’s Global Push for Nuclear Power 

For years, Saudi Arabia has pressed the United States to help it develop a nuclear energy program, as Saudi leaders look beyond oil to power their country. 

But talks about a nuclear partnership have dragged on, largely because the Saudi government refuses to agree to conditions that are intended to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons or helping other nations do so, according to officials with knowledge of the discussions. 

Frustrated Saudi officials are now exploring options to work with other countries, including China, Russia or a U.S. ally.  

Read more ....  

Update: Saudi crown prince is plotting to get US nuclear secrets by playing the White House, Russia, and China off against each other, report says (Insider) 

WNU Editor: A prediction. Saudi Arabia will get its nuclear tech from China, Russia, or from a Western European nation like France.

Saudi Arabia's Minister Of State For Foreign Affairs Says Won't Rule Out Developing Nuclear Weapons If Iran Does

Adel al-Jubeir said the kingdom would take any measures to protect its territories [Mohamed Abd el-Ghany/Reuters]

Al Jazeera: Saudi minister says nuclear armament against Iran ‘an option’ 

Saudi Arabia reserves the right to arm itself with nuclear weapons if regional rival Iran cannot be stopped from making one, the kingdom’s minister of state for foreign affairs has said. 

“It’s definitely an option,” Adel al-Jubeir told the DPA news agency in a recent interview. 

If Iran becomes a nuclear power, he said, more countries would follow suit. 

“And Saudi Arabia has made it very clear, that it will do everything it can to protect its people and to protect its territories.” 

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Update #1: Saudi Minister Won't Rule Out Developing Nuclear Weapons if Iran Does (Haaretz) 

Update #2: Saudi Arabia does not rule out nuclear weapons (Re:Jerusalem) 

WNU Editor: I see this more as a message to the incoming Joe Biden administration to not engage with Iran.

Chinese Report Says Saudi Arabia May Have Enough Uranium For Nuclear Fuel And Nuclear Weapons

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declared in 2018 that if regional rival Iran develops a nuclear bomb, ‘we will follow suit as soon as possible’. Photograph: Reuters

Daily Mail: Saudi Arabia may have enough uranium for nuclear fuel and weapons, Chinese report claims

* Chinese geologists have been helping the kingdom map its uranium reserves
* Confidential reports show more than 90,000 tonnes of uranium could be mined
* Saudi Arabia has been open about wanting nuclear self-sufficiency
* But experts fear this means they could use the uranium for military purposes

Saudia Arabia may have enough mineable uranium ore reserves to make nuclear fuel and weapons.

Chinese geologists have been helping the kingdom map its uranium reserves at incredible speed as part of their nuclear cooperation agreement.

Details of the stocks are contained in their confidential reports which have been seen by The Guardian.

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More News On Reports That Saudi Arabia May Have Enough Uranium For Nuclear Fuel And Nuclear Weapons

Revealed: Saudi Arabia may have enough uranium ore to produce nuclear fuel -- The Guardian
Saudi Arabia reportedly has enough uranium to start nuclear fuel production -- NYPost
UN nuclear watchdog, China reportedly helping Saudi Arabia develop uranium -- NYPost
Saudi Arabia May Be Building Uranium Facility -- Arms Control Association

China Helping Saudi Arabia's Nuclear Program

Al Ula is a small city in northwest Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is said to be constructing a facility for extracting uranium yellowcake in a remote desert location in the city’s general vicinity. Photo: ahmed yosri/Reuters

Wall Street Journal: Saudi Arabia, With China’s Help, Expands Its Nuclear Program

Kingdom harbors hopes for a civilian nuclear power program, but U.S. critics worry about its ambitions for nuclear weapons

WASHINGTON—Saudi Arabia has constructed with Chinese help a facility for extracting uranium yellowcake from uranium ore, an advance in the oil-rich kingdom’s drive to master nuclear technology, according to Western officials with knowledge of the site.

The facility, which hasn’t been publicly disclosed, is in a sparsely populated area in Saudi Arabia’s northwest and has raised concern among U.S. and allied officials that the kingdom’s nascent nuclear program is moving ahead and that Riyadh is keeping open the option of developing nuclear weapons.

Even though Riyadh is still far from that point, the facility’s exposure appears certain to draw concern in the U.S. Congress, where a bipartisan group of lawmakers has expressed alarm about Saudi nuclear energy plans and about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2018 vow that “if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.”

It is also likely to cause consternation in Israel, where officials have warily monitored Saudi Arabia’s nuclear work.

The Saudi Energy Ministry said in a statement it “categorically denies” having built a uranium ore facility in the area described by some of the Western officials, adding that mineral extraction—including uranium—is a key part of the country’s economic diversification strategy.

The Saudi statement said the kingdom has contracted with the Chinese on uranium exploration in Saudi Arabia in certain areas. A spokesman declined to elaborate on the ministry’s statement.

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WNU Editor: China wants access to Saudi Arabia's energy resources, and Saudi Arabia wants China's nuclear expertise. Since the U.S. and the West are reluctant to help Saudi Arabia's energy program, Saudi Arabia is looking for other partners.

More News On China Helping Saudi Arabia's Nuclear Program

Saudi Arabia constructs facility for extracting uranium yellowcake: Report -- Middle East Eye
Saudi Arabia constructs uranium ore facility with help from China -- Middle East Monitor
Saudi Arabia has built yellowcake uranium processing plant: WSJ -- Al Jazeera

Saudi Arabia Wants To Enrich Uranium

Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the kingdom is proceeding cautiously with its planned nuclear power program. (AFP)

Reuters: Saudi Arabia flags plan to enrich uranium as U.S. seeks nuclear pact

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia wants to enrich uranium for its nuclear power program, its energy minister said on Monday, potentially complicating talks with Washington on an atomic pact and the role of U.S. companies.

Uranium enrichment has been a sticking point with the United States, especially after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in 2018 that the Sunni Muslim kingdom would develop nuclear arms if regional rival Shi’ite Muslim Iran did.

The world’s top oil exporter says it wants to use nuclear power to diversify its energy mix, but enrichment also opens up the possibility of military uses of uranium.

“We are proceeding with it cautiously ... we are experimenting with two nuclear reactors,” Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said, referring to a plan to issue a tender for the Gulf Arab state’s first two nuclear power reactors.

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WNU Editor: There are no doubts in my mind that the ultimate goal for Saudi Arabia is to have the infrastructure in place to develop and build nuclear weapons. Diversifying its energy mix is a secondary priority, not the primary one.

More News On Reports That The Saudi Arabia Wants To Enrich Uranium

Saudi Arabia wants to enrich uranium for nuclear power, says energy minister -- Middle East Eye
Saudi Arabia announces it wants to go nuclear - stoking fears that Iran's flouting of deal will start arms race in region -- Daily Mail
Saudi Arabia Plans To Enrich Uranium For Its Nuclear Power Reactors -- Forbes

Satellite Images Suggest Saudi Nuclear Reactor Nearly Built

The Guardian: Saudi Arabia's first nuclear reactor nearly finished, sparking fears over safeguards

Riyadh has so far resisted international watchdog’s requests to accept a strict inspection regime

Saudi Arabia is within months of completing its first nuclear reactor, new satellite images show, but it has yet to show any readiness to abide by safeguards that would prevent it making a bomb.

The reactor site is in the King Abdulaziz city for science and technology on the outskirts of Riyadh. The site was identified by Robert Kelley, a former director for nuclear inspections at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who said it was very small 30-kilowatt research reactor, not far from completion.

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More News On Satellite Images Suggesting That Saudi Arabia's First Nuclear Reactor Is Nearly Built

Expert: Images show building of first Saudi nuclear reactor -- ABC News/AP
Google satellite shows first Saudi nuclear reactor only one year from completion, expert says -- The Independent
Saudi Arabia is close to completing its first nuclear reactor according to satellite images, expert claims -- Daily Mail
Saudi Arabia's First Nuclear Reactor Sparks Fears From Experts -- Interesting Engineering
Satellite Images Suggest Saudi Nuclear Reactor Nearly Built -- Spuntik
Saudi Nuclear Facility Near Completion According To Satellite Photos -- Zero Hedge
Saudi plans to invite bids for nuclear power project in 2020: sources -- Reuters

Was The White House Planning To Transfer Nuclear Tech To Saudi Arabia?

NBC: Flynn-backed plan to transfer nuclear tech to Saudis may have broken laws, say whistleblowers

Investigators fear President Trump is still considering the plan, which was pushed by Flynn and Trump friend Tom Barrack.

WASHINGTON — Whistleblowers from within President Donald Trump's National Security Council have told a congressional committee that efforts by former national security adviser Michael Flynn to transfer sensitive nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia may have violated the law, and investigators fear Trump is still considering it, according to a new report obtained by NBC News.

The House Oversight Committee has formally opened an investigation into the matter, releasing an interim staff report that adds new details to previous public accounts of how Flynn sought to push through the nuclear proposal on behalf of a group he had once advised. Tom Barrack, a prominent Trump backer with business ties to the Middle East, also became involved in the project, the report says.

Just days after Trump's inauguration, backers of the project sent documents to Flynn for Trump to approve, including a draft Cabinet memo stating that the president had appointed Barrack as a special representative to implement the plan and directing agencies to support Barrack's efforts, the report says.

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WNU Editor: Talk about the U.S. helping Middle Eastern nations to build nuclear weapons is nothing new and it was public ....

Is The U.S. About To Assist Saudi Arabia In Building 16 Nuclear Reactors? (February 16, 2018)
Saudi Arabia: The Next Middle Eastern Nuclear Power (June 2, 2011)

So why the push/focus now? Because why not.

More News On Reports That The White House Considered Transfer Nuclear Tech To Saudi Arabia

Democrats investigate 'White House plan' to share nuclear technology with Saudi Arabia – live -- The Guardian
Flynn pushed to share nuclear tech with Saudis, report says -- AP
Whistleblowers sounded alarm about nuclear deal pushed by Trump advisers: Report -- ABC News
House report lays bare White House feud over Saudi nuclear push -- Politico
House Opens Inquiry Into Proposed U.S. Nuclear Venture in Saudi Arabia -- The New York Times
Top Trump appointees promoted selling nuclear power plants to Saudi Arabia over objections from national security officials, House Democratic report says -- The Washington Post
Dems to investigate Flynn-backed efforts to bring nuclear power to Saudis -- CNN

Will Saudi Arabia Acquire Nuclear Weapons?

Saudi Arabia's plans for nuclear follow the construction of the UAE's Barakah nuclear power plant. due to come online next year. Arun Girija / Enec / AFP

Paul R. Pillar, National Interest: Why Saudi Arabia Will Acquire Nuclear Weapons

If the Trump administration continues to turn its nuclear negotiations into a boondoggle, then nothing will prevent Riyadh from building bombs.

The Trump administration’s handling of nuclear negotiations with Saudi Arabia promises to lay bare some realities about security issues and nuclear programs in that part of the world that the administration has refused to acknowledge. A front-page article by David Sanger and William Broad in the New York Times reviews some of the still-unresolved questions. The Saudi regime insists on producing its own nuclear fuel, which would be different from terms the United States has negotiated with some other states, including the United Arab Emirates, that have sought U.S. assistance in developing their nuclear programs. The Saudis have balked at comprehensive international inspections to detect any work on nuclear weapons. And Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) has explicitly threatened to develop nuclear weapons, ostensibly in response to any similar development by Iran.

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WNU Editor: Saudi Arabia has the monies and resources plus a number of people who can learn (if not already) how to develop and build nuclear weapons. The question is .... does the Saudi King and the Crown Prince believe it is in their interest to acquire them even if it means international sanctions and blow-back from the international community that will last for years (like what happened for Pakistan and India when they developed their nuclear arsenal). My gut tells me .... guided by intelligence and experience .... that there is already a plan to develop such a weapons program. The question that remains unanswered is when to initiate it.

Saudi Forign Minister: Saudi Arabia Will Seek Nuclear Weapons If Iran Does

Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir

Al Arabiya/AFP: Jubeir: Saudi Arabia will seek nuclear weapon if Iran does

Saudi Arabia will seek to develop its own nuclear weapons if Iran does, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told CNN on Wednesday, amid spiraling tension between the regional rivals.

Asked whether Riyadh would “build a bomb itself” if Tehran seizes on Washington's withdrawal from the 2015 Iran deal to resume a nuclear weapons program, Jubeir said: “If Iran acquires nuclear capability we will do everything we can to do the same.”

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WNU Editor: There is a part of me that strongly believes that Saudi Arabia will pursue a nuclear weapons program in the future .... even if Ian does not. Almost all of the major countries in the Middle East .... Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt .... do have the resources and means to pursue these weapons programs. It is amazing to me that with the exception of Iran .... they have held back this long.

Saudi Journalist Tells Israelis To Not Worry If Saudi Arabia Acquires Nuclear Weapons

Times of Israel: Don’t worry about us having nukes, Saudi journalist tells Israelis, in Hebrew

Loay al-Shareef, reportedly close to royal family, posts video message assuring Jewish people that Saudi Arabia poses no threat, is only interested in self-defense.

A Saudi Arabian journalist posted a Hebrew-language video message telling Israelis and the Jewish people to not fear the possibility of his country acquiring nuclear weapons, as they would not be a threat to Israel but rather would be intended for self-defense against regional aggressors.

Loay al-Shareef published the short clip on his Facebook page March 19. In it he talked about the concerns in Israel after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a US television interview earlier this month that Saudi Arabia would arm itself with nuclear munitions if Iran ever obtained the weapons.

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WNU editor: I would be worried.

Saudi Crown Prince Warns Saudi Arabia Will Develop A Nuclear Bomb If Iran Does

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Norah O'Donnell. CBS News

CBS: Saudi crown prince: If Iran develops nuclear bomb, so will Saudi

The next leader of Saudi Arabia says his country would quickly obtain a nuclear bomb if arch rival Iran successfully develops its own nuclear weapon. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made the statement about a possible nuclear arms race in the Middle East to "CBS This Morning" co-host Norah O'Donnell, in an interview set to air on this Sunday's "60 Minutes."

The interview is the first with a Saudi leader for a U.S. television network since 2005. O'Donnell, a contributing correspondent for "60 Minutes," asked the 32-year-old crown prince about the political, economic and social reforms unfolding in his kingdom.

The heir to the throne has ushered in significant changes for women in the conservative Sunni Muslim kingdom, including granting them the right to drive for the first time. The crown prince discussed foreign policy, including his views on Saudi Arabia's longtime foe, Shiite Muslim-ruled Iran.

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More News On The Saudi Crown Prince Warning That Saudi Arabia Will Develop A Nuclear Bomb If Iran Does

Saudi Arabia pledges to create a nuclear bomb if Iran does -- BBC News
Saudi crown prince says KSA will develop nuclear bomb if Iran does: CBS TV -- Arab News/AFP
Saudi Crown Prince Likens Iran's Supreme Leader to Hitler -- New York Times
Saudi crown prince warns of nuclear ambitions sparking fears of Middle East arms race -- NEWS.com.au
Saudi Crown Prince: If Iran Develops Nuclear Bomb, 'We Will Follow Suit ASAP' -- Sputnik
Saudi Prince Likens Iran's Ruler to Hitler -- VOA

Is The U.S. About To Assist Saudi Arabia In Building 16 Nuclear Reactors?

The Trump administration is encouraging Saudi Arabia to consider bids by Westinghouse Electric and other US companies to build nuclear reactors in that country and may allow the enrichment of uranium as part of that deal, according to three people familiar with the plans. Arabian Business

New York Times editorial: Will the U.S. Help the Saudis Get a Nuclear Weapon?

The last thing the Middle East needs is another country with the potential to build nuclear weapons. Yet that could happen if the United States mishandles Saudi Arabia’s plans to enter the nuclear power business and erect as many as 16 nuclear reactors for electricity generation over 25 years.

The Saudis aren’t saying they want to become the second country, after Israel, to have a nuclear arsenal in the increasingly unstable region. They insist the reactors would be used only to generate energy for domestic purposes, so they can rely on their huge reserves of oil to generate income from overseas.

Still, there are growing signs that the Saudis want the option of building nuclear weapons to hedge against their archrival, Iran, which had a robust nuclear program before accepting severe curbs under a 2015 deal with the United States and other major powers.

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WNU Editor: This issue was first brought up last year .... Trump Considers Easing Nuclear Rules for Saudi Project (Bloomberg). What's my take .... if the Saudis do not buy from the U.S., they will buy from someone else. And yes .... even though this project is focused on producing electricity, the Saudis also want to have the means to develop nuclear weapons if they have to.

More News On Reports That The U.S. And Saudi Arabia Are Trying To Reach A Deal On Building 16 Nuclear Reactors

Rick Perry going to London to hold nuclear cooperation talks with Saudi officials -- Washington Post
U.S. Energy Chief Plans Nuclear Deal Talks With Saudis, Source Says -- Bloomberg
US Pursues Saudi Nuclear Deal, Despite Proliferation Risk -- Wall Street Journal
Will Trump Partner With Saudi Arabia On Nuclear Deal? -- Arianna Nunez, OilPrice.com
Preventing a nuclear meltdown in the Middle East -- Kenneth N. Luongo, The Hill
No to a permissive US-Saudi nuclear deal -- Victor Gilinsky & Henry Sokolski, Bulletin of Atomic Scientist

Saudi Arabia Wants To Extract Uranium Domestically To Be Self-Sufficient

Reuters: Saudi Arabia to extract uranium for 'self-sufficient' nuclear program

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia plans to extract uranium domestically as part of its nuclear power program and sees this as a step towards “self-sufficiency” in producing atomic fuel, a senior official said on Monday.

Extracting its own uranium also makes sense from an economic point of view, said Hashim bin Abdullah Yamani, head of the Saudi government agency tasked with the nuclear plans, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE).

In a speech at an international nuclear power conference in Abu Dhabi, he did not specify whether Saudi Arabia seeks to also enrich and reprocess uranium – steps in the fuel cycle which are especially sensitive as they can open up the possibility of military uses of the material.

The world’s top oil exporter says it wants to tap atomic power for peaceful purposes only in order to diversify its energy supply and will award a construction contract for its first two nuclear reactors by the end of 2018.

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Update: Saudi Arabia to extract uranium for 'self-sufficient' nuclear program (FOX News).

WNU Editor:  For a country that has enormous oil and natural gas resources .... investing billions into a nuclear program raises eyebrows .... mine included.

Former Saudi Arabia Intelligence Chief: Obtaining Nuclear Weapons If Iran Breaks The Nuclear Deal Is An Option

Former Head of Saudi intelligence and current Saudi King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies Chairman Prince Turki Al-Faisal attends a closed session meeting at the IISS Regional Security Summit — The Manama Dialogue in Manama, Dec. 8, 2013. (photo by REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed)

CNN: Saudi prince: Getting nukes an option if Iran breaks deal

Washington (CNN)In a reflection of the change and churn in the Middle East, former high-level officials from Saudi Arabia and Israel -- nations that have no formal diplomatic ties -- spoke publicly about their shared sense of Iran as a threat, their differences on Palestinians and the role the United States plays in their chaotic region.

Prince Turki al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia's former intelligence chief, and retired Israeli Army Maj. Gen. Yaakov Amidror, a former adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, spoke in Washington Thursday night at a discussion arranged by The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Their joint appearance doesn't mean the two countries will be normalizing relations anytime soon, Turki warned.

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WNU Editor: Former Head of Saudi intelligence Prince Turki Al-Faisal is no fan of President Obama .... Former Saudi Intel Chief And A Member Of The Saudi Family Is Furious At President Obama.

Saudi Arabia Does Not Rule Out Seeking Nuclear Weapons

VOA: Saudi Official Won't Rule Out Seeking Nuclear Bomb to Meet Iranian Threat

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has refused to rule out that it will seek a nuclear weapon if archrival Iran becomes a threat.

In an interview Tuesday, Reuters news agency asked Adel al-Jubeir whether Saudi Arabia would try to get a nuclear bomb if Iran obtained one, despite its agreement with six world powers. He responded that his country would do "whatever we need to do in order to protect our people."

Jubeir said the end of Western sanctions on Iran as part of the nuclear agreement would be welcome if Iran uses unfrozen funds to improve the living standards of its people.

More News On Saudi Arabia Not Ruling Out Seeking Nuclear Weapons

Saudis not ruling out nuclear option if Iran gets bomb -- Jerusalem Post
Saudis not ruling out nuclear bomb in response to Iran -- Arutz Sheva
Saudi Arabia keeps nuclear option open after Iran deal implementation -- JNS
Saudi foreign minister deeply skeptical of Iran deal -- CNN

Saudi Arabia Are Warning (Again) That They Are Prepared To Go 'Nuclear'

Con Coughlin, The Telegraph: The Saudis are ready to go nuclear

The kingdom’s ambassador to London tells the Telegraph that 'all options are on the table’ if talks fail to keep Iran in check

Since its creation 85 years ago, Saudi Arabia has acquired a reputation as a country that tries to avoid confrontation with its neighbours at all costs. During the long war between Iran and Iraq during the 1980s the Saudis desperately sought to preserve their neutrality, even if Riyadh’s sympathies lay with its fellow Sunni co-religionists in Iraq rather than the Shi’ite Muslim hardliners running Iran.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the two Gulf wars against Saddam Hussein was kept to a minimum. Saudi warplanes made a modest contribution to the overall air campaign during the 1991 liberation of Kuwait, while Riyadh steadfastly refused to involve itself in the 2003 Iraq war. In other conflicts affecting the region, such as the Palestinian intifada, the Saudis have preferred to channel their immense oil wealth in support of Arab allies rather than become directly involved in the strife.

Update #1: Nuclear Saudis? ‘All options on the table’ over Iran deal, Riyadh’s ambassador to UK warns -- RT
Update #2: Saudi Arabia vows it could become first Arab country to have nuclear missiles -- Express
Update #3: Saudi Arabia considering going nuclear if Iran talks fail -- Financial Express

WNU Editor: With rumors now circulating that an Iranian nuclear deal is near completion that will legitimize their nuclear program .... Saudi Arabia is putting on the pressure to kill it.

U.S. Defense Official: Saudis Arabia To Buy Nuclear Weapons From Pakistan

The Australian/The Times: Saudis to buy nuclear weapons from Pakistan, US officials say

Saudi Arabia has taken the “strategic decision” to acquire “off the shelf” atomic weapons from Pakistan, risking a new arms race in the Middle East, senior US officials say.

The move by the Gulf kingdom, which has financed much of ­Islamabad’s nuclear program over the past three decades, comes amid growing anger among Sunni Arab states over a deal backed by US President Barack Obama, which they fear could allow Shia Iran to develop a nuclear bomb.

The agreement, due to be finalised next month and involving the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, is designed to roll back part of Tehran’s nuclear program in return for an easing of UN sanctions.

There are concerns that Saudi Arabia joining the nuclear club might provoke Turkey and Egypt to follow suit. “For the Saudis, the moment has come,” a former US defence official said.

Update: Report: Saudis may purchase Pakistani atomic bomb -- Times of Israel

WNU Editor: Since ascending to the throne, King Salman has certainly pursued an independent Saudi foreign/national security policy. Escalating support for Syria's rebels. Intervention in Yemen. Major arms purchases. Flooding the world with oil. And now the possibility of nuclear weapons. This is not the Saudi Arabia of last year. For U.S. policy makers and for President Obama .... this has the potential (and probability) of becoming a nightmare scenario .... a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Saudi Ambassador To US Hints That Saudi Arabia May Develop Nuclear Weapons

CNN: Saudi Ambassador to U.S. won't rule out building nukes

Washington (CNN)The Saudi Ambassador to the United States would not rule out the possibility of the Saudis creating their own nuclear bomb to counterbalance a nuclear-armed Iran in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Thursday.

"This is not something we would discuss publicly," Ambassador Adel Al-Jubeir said on "The Situation Room." Later, when pressed, he said, "This is not something that I can comment on, nor would I comment on."

"But the kingdom of Saudi Arabia will take whatever measures are necessary in order to protect its security," he added. "There are two things over which we do not negotiate: Our faith and our security."

WNU Editor: There are rumors circulating that Saudi Arabia is already preparing to buy the necessary technology from Pakistan .... Saudi Arabia Could Buy the Bomb (Arutz Sheva).

More News On The Saudi Ambassador's Comments On Nuclear Weapons

Saudi Arabia says it won't rule out building nuclear weapons -- The Independent
Saudi Arabia May Have Nuclear Power To Counter Iran, Ambassador Adel Al-Jubeir Hints -- IBTimes
Saudi ambassador to US says won't rule out building nukes to counterbalance 'nuclear-armed Iran' -- New Kerala

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.

Are Saudi Nukes Next?

Fear Of A Nuclear Saudi Arabia -- Joshua Keating, Slate

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasted no time in letting the world know what he thinks of the Iran nuclear deal, the other regional power most concerned about the deal, Saudi Arabia, has been conspicuous in its silence. The Saudi leadership had publicly urged the U.S. “not to succumb to the president of Iran's soft talk" in the runup to the deal and is almost certainly skeptical that the agreement reached will keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons. So the question becomes, what are they going to do about it?

David Sanger of the New York Times notes that, Saudi leaders have been “hinting in vague asides that if the United States cannot roll back the Iranian program, it may be time for Saudi Arabia to move to Plan B — nuclear weapons of its own, presumably obtained from Pakistan, which entered the nuclear club on Saudi subsidies.” U.S. critics of the deal have been discussing this scenario as if it’s now a fait accompli.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That Saudi Arabia May Pursue Their Own Nuclear Program

Iran nuclear deal: Saudi Arabia warns it will strike out on its own -- The Telegraph
Saudis outline new plan to contain Iran threat -- Independent.ie
Evidence suggests that Saudi Arabia may be seeking nuclear weapons -- AllVoices.com
Saudi Arabia: US Lied to Us in Negotiating Iran Nuke Pact -- Newsmax
What the Saudis make of the nuclear deal with Iran -- Simon Henderson, The Atlantic

My Comment: Simon Henderson's post on what is Saudi Arabia thinking is a must read.