The Nuclear Bazaar: A Convenient Blind Spot
THE CLAIM: Hussein Kanani, a former Iranian military commander, alleges that Saudi Arabia has acquired nuclear weapons and that the United States is fully aware of this fact. The implication is clear: a regional arms race, previously framed around Iran's ambitions, is already underway, spearheaded by a key US ally. THE EVIDENCE: While direct, public evidence of Saudi Arabia possessing fully
assembled nuclear weapons remains elusive, the foundation for such a claim is not entirely baseless. Riyadh has indeed made explicit statements about its nuclear ambitions. In 2018, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman openly stated that if Iran developed a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would 'without doubt' follow suit. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in its nuclear energy program,
signing agreements with powers like China, which has reportedly aided in the construction of a yellowcake uranium mill. Most notably, a 2020 report by the Wall Street Journal indicated Saudi Arabia was constructing a facility for extracting uranium yellowcake from uranium ore with Chinese assistance, a process that can be a step towards enriching uranium for weapons. Pakistan, a long-standing
ally, has also been widely rumored to be a potential source for Saudi nuclear acquisition, a possibility discussed as early as 2013 when then-Saudi King Abdullah reportedly warned the US he would acquire nuclear weapons if Iran wasn't stopped. The timing is notable, aligning with increased regional tensions and the ongoing Saudi diversification away from complete reliance on US security