Saudi Crown Prince: If Iran Builds a Nuclear Bomb, We Will Too

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, in an interview with CBS News, stated that if Iran develops a nuclear bomb, Saudi Arabia will also do so, thereby increasing the likelihood of a nuclear arms race in a region already fraught with crisis. He reiterated his previous comments comparing Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, to Hitler. According to Reuters, Mohammed bin Salman said in part of the interview, which will be fully aired on Sunday, 'Saudi Arabia is not seeking to acquire a nuclear bomb, but if Iran builds a nuclear weapon, we will undoubtedly do so quickly.' The Sunni kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been engaged in a fierce rivalry with the Shiite government of Iran for decades, with both countries opposing each other in proxy wars in the Middle East, including in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. Mohammed bin Salman, who is also the Minister of Defense, stated last year that Saudi Arabia would ensure that the next military confrontation between the two countries 'will take place in Iran.' In response, Iranian officials threatened to retaliate by attacking all of Saudi Arabia except for the holy sites in Mecca and Medina. The Saudi government has criticized the international community's nuclear agreement with Iran, which lifted most international sanctions against the country in exchange for limiting Iran's nuclear program. The Crown Prince's comments will also impact Israeli policies, as Israel is a key U.S. ally and the only country in the Middle East that neither confirms nor denies possessing nuclear weapons. The Israeli government has consistently argued that if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, Gulf Arab states will implement similar plans, increasing instability in the region. Israel has never joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has stated that it will only agree to inspections and controls under this treaty if a complete peace is established with Arab countries. Reuters adds that as part of its new plans to reduce dependence on oil, Saudi Arabia intends to build nuclear reactors soon. The world's largest oil producer has stated that the goal of its nuclear programs will be solely for peaceful purposes, but has left the issue of uranium enrichment, which can also be used to produce nuclear bombs, unaddressed. Russian, French, Chinese, South Korean, and American companies are competing for multi-billion dollar contracts to build two nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia. Mohammed bin Salman's remarks ahead of his trip to Washington could influence the likelihood of these contracts being awarded to a consortium that includes Westinghouse, owned by Toshiba. American companies can only export nuclear technology to other countries if the U.S. government signs an agreement with that country prohibiting uranium enrichment and nuclear fuel recycling within that country, a process that could have military applications. In previous negotiations, Saudi Arabia has been unwilling to sign a contract that would deprive it of future uranium enrichment. Nuclear reactors require uranium with a concentration of about five percent, but uranium enrichment technology can also be used to produce higher-concentration uranium for military purposes. This has been the main concern of the international community regarding Iran's nuclear programs. On Tuesday, the Saudi government approved a plan for nuclear energy production in compliance with regulations governing peaceful uses and in accordance with limitations set forth in international treaties.