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Mustafa Ozer / AFP - Getty Images, file
Saudi special forces take part in a military parade in the holy city of Mecca on November 10, 2010.
Saudia Arabia would move quickly to acquire nuclear weapons if Iran successfully tests an atomic bomb, according to a report.
Citing an unidentified Saudi Arabian source, the Times newspaper in the U.K. (which operates behind a paywall) said that the kingdom would seek to buy ready-made warheads and also begin its own program to enrich weapons-grade uranium.
The paper suggested that Pakistan was the country most likely to supply Saudi Arabia with weapons, saying Western officials were convinced there was an understanding between the countries to do so if the security situation in the Persian Gulf gets worse. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have denied such an arrangement exists.
Iran, which follows the Shiite branch of Islam, and Sunni Saudi Arabia are major regional rivals.
The Times described its source for the story as a "senior Saudi," but gave no other details.
Israel uses MEK terror group to kill Iran's nuclear scientists, US officials say
Mohammad Javad Larijani, a senior aide to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describes what Iranian leaders believe is a close relationship between Israel's secret service, the Mossad, and the People's Mujahedin of Iran, or MEK, which is considered a terrorist organization by the United States.
"There is no intention currently to pursue a unilateral military nuclear program, but the dynamics will change immediately if the Iranians develop their own nuclear capability," the source told the newspaper. "Politically, it would be completely unacceptable to have Iran with a nuclear capability and not the kingdom."
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta now believes there's a strong possibility that Israel will attack Iran in an attempt to thwart Tehran's nuclear ambitions, according to U.S. officials. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
Iran envoy: We could hit US forces anywhere in world if attacked
Asked whether Saudi Arabia would maintain its commitment against acquiring WMD, Turki said: "What I suggest for Saudi Arabia and for the other Gulf states ... is that we must study carefully all the options, including the option of acquiring weapons of mass destruction. We can't simply leave it for somebody else to decide for us."
Turki is also a former Saudi intelligence chief and remains an influential member of the Saudi royal family.
In October, the U.S. claimed that agents linked to Iran's Qud's Force, an elite wing of the Revolutionary Guard, were involved in a plot to kill Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the U.S., Adel Al-Jubeir. Iran said the claims were "baseless."
The Saudi government has also accused a terror cell linked to Iran of plotting to blow up its embassy in Bahrain, as well as the causeway linking the island kingdom to Saudi Arabia.
In a secret diplomatic cable made public by WikiLeaks, Saudi King Abdullah allegedly urged Washington to strike at Iran and "cut off the head of the snake."
He said military action would only stiffen Iran's resolve, rally support for the regime and at best delay, but not halt, the nuclear program. "Such an act I think would be foolish, and to undertake it I think would be tragic," he said.
Leave a Comment:
The headline assumes a cause-effect between Iran developing nuclear weapons, and Saudi Arabia developing them. That is not necessarily accurate. I have read that the Saudis intend to develop nuclear weapons regardless of what Iran does.
Will the USA, and/or Israel seek to bomb Saudi Arabia? I doubt it. We have some very clear double-standards.
Double standards? When was the last time you heard a government official from Saudi Arabia or Israel tell the people of this Blue Earth that 'we want to wipe you out'. If the Saudis really wanted nuclear weapons, they would have gotten them years ago. Instead they spent billions in things like desalination plants and helping their own people live their lives in peace. Israel spent billions in defensive, but also the same in allowing their people to live a normal peaceful life. .... When Israel got their nukes the Saudis didn't jump up and down yelling 'no fair'. WHY? Israel didn't threaten them with death and destruction. You are the one with very 'clear double standards'.
There you are Demetrius. Stirring up trouble again to get us to war ,ha ?
War? We are already at war Joe. Wakeup! 'Stirring up trouble'? I think the Iranians are doing a pretty good job of that. Telling the Russians that they could attack US forces anywhere in the world was like pointing a gun in their face. Ah, maybe Allah will save one bullet for the Russian people too.
Yes, Demetrius, sadly enough we are at war but not what you think.Guys like you and others are using propaganda along with the media (maybe you work for CNN or Reuters ) to get us in a war with Iran. We are broke ,Demetrius ,and it was a part of the agenda to destroy us . Now , for the final kill they want us to attack Iran. What the insane people of this scheme do not realize is that Holy Land is going to be blown up to Kingdom Come - Jews , Palestinians, Muslims. I do not want to see that , do you understand ? Russia has every historical and economic reason to benefit from it and China as well . So , please Demetrius,realize what you are doing-these people are insane. They think they are going to enjoy the profits from the war. I disagree totally-WW II was child's play in comparison what attack on Iran may bring. Wars are easy to start , but impossible to stop once propaganda machines are at full throttle.
I agree that allowing Iran to have a nuke would be disaterous. We also know that Israel has nukes (notice I said that in the plural). Granted, Iran is ruled by a bunch of nuts but if they send their nuke towards Israel they are going to receive a return ten fold. I doubt that even Ahmaduchbag can think his country will come out on top with a nuclear exchange with Israel.......one nuke versus 10+ (guessing here)
Maybe iran wants its 72 virgins.
Jeff, one problem with what you are stating. The Iranian mission will be accomplished. Did the 911 terrorists care if they died? The Iranian religious zealots think the same way.
Cool pic of the Saudi special forces....thought I was looking at Darth Vader times 3.
Tick...tick...tick...
Our eyes are on the front of our head so we can look forward, not backward. Who cares what any previous president did or did not do. It is the current president now that must face these situations. He should let Isreal bomb them into non-existence and let the other countries watch and be glad that they did.
Don't you think the rest of the Arab countries would go to war with Israel if they bombed Iran?
Have you ever Been around a Junk yard Dog!..... No one wants to kick a junk yard Dog!... Thats what Iran is Doing right NOW!.... Iran will reap what they SOW!..........
Maybe a few would, but unless I am mistaken, so far Isreal has not lost a war with any of them yet and they would have to consider that. Not all of the Arab countries are Iran's friends; and some of them are presently busy tending to their own turmoil.
I don't know if they would even care. From a profit point of view if iran was out of the picture that would mean more oil profits to be split among one less party
This is just WONDERFUL! Maybe they'll all just blow each other up if we leave em alone!
If there was a nuclear war in the Middle East the price of gas would skyrocket.
Not to worry, we are getting oil from Canada now...
Oh, wait. Obama nixed that. Never mind, your point has been made...
I operated boats in the Gulf of Mexico and there are enough capped oil wells in reserve out there to solve our energy needs for a long time. The reason that they are not being used is because one day when the world does run out of oil we want to be the last ones with it; therefore we are using up everyone else's oil first. Don't worry, we will be OK.
Obama didn't nix the pipeline, just the route it was going to take. BTW, 2/3 of the pipeline is already built.
WhereHasAmericaGone - your right.. Obama nixed the pipeline that was intended to deliver oil through America... use america's refineries and then ship it to china. Yep.... that pipeline sure was going to help the US economy with 2,500 temporary jobs for 2 years.
Nice Try..........
When gas gets too expensive we could always go back to horses. I would rather dodge turds in the street than pay ridiculous prices for fuel
ItsAboutTime
I'd take a temporary job for 2 years. Sure would help my family. Be nice to work for one of those refineries too, or on the cargo ships that takes the oil to whoever it's sold to.
NotFooledAnymore: I applaud you for your comment. Obama has not killed the pipeline, and it can certainly come back once the environmental studies are done and the Republicans stop tacking other items on the bill.
There are a lot of jobs in this country right now, and its just a matter of finding one.
The world is a much, much more dangerous place due to our last presidential election...Obama golfs while Rome burns.
Please explain how the world is more dangerous since 2009.
Obama removed our missile defense shield in eastern Europe, he pulled out of Iraq without leaving even a large enough security forceto protect our embassy. The "Arab Spring" was no more than a radical muslim takeover of relatively stable middle eastern countries...Obama stood by while it happened with minimal support and no influence in the outcome. Iran is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons and Obama's sanctions have been a pathetic and ineffectual response which has caused Israel to threaten to attack Iran's nuclear facilities and, according to this article, will create another [Islamic] nuclear armed country the day Iran's bomb is revealed. With radical Islam now progressively taking control of countries involved in the "Arab Spring," soon some of those countries will also be seeking to get their own bomb. America currently has no leadership in the White House. The events that are occurring may cause another major war, originating in the middle east, possibly nuclear, and will effect the whole planet. The U.S. has lost credibility and true respect due to Obama's inaction and actions based purely on political motivations; the world is a much, much more dangerous place and will become more so once the Islamic countries begin battle and world energy costs skyrocket out of control...and our current administration sits by and watches....
LOL.....everything you stated is factually incorrect!
Wow, where do you get your ideas from? How old are you???
Go away. No one needs your useless, ill-informed, knee-jerk opinion on a topic that could likely end up in a 3rd world war.
Then again, IF we happen to get to that point, I would totally expect you to enlist and join up to die. Thanks for your future service.....
MY kids will stay right at home raising animals and growing food on our farm. You can go die if you want.
hmmm removing a missile defence shield that can't work reliably (a shot in the dark is not something to spend 60 billion dollars on) and was never installed in the first place is a bad thing?
WOW!!!
As for credibility, the idea that a missile defence shield that uses missiles could take out a warhead implies a level of credibility that is not all that high in the first place.
Yup, 2012 is lining up to become one hell a year huh? And "who" is residing at the helm of our sinking ship? Coincidence? or was it all part of the plan? Have the stars aligned? Where's Nostradamus when we need him?
How is the ship sinking?
With a Statement like that!... I am sure you DO NOT PAY YOUR OWN BILLS!... Mom and dad DOES!.......
So Saudi Arabia has revealed the big lie--that you don't need to build these bombs, you can just buy them like Iran did twenty years ago when they bought Russian bombs from Kazakhstan.
That darn Borat was probably in on the deal also!!
Unfortunately I disagree with the posters that say, "Only full proliferation..." and "Only MAD will ensure peace." Our technological advances have far outpaced our maturity as a species. Don't forget that we're talking about regimes that have vowed to destroy other countries by any means necessary. Iran used children to clear minefields during the Iran/Iraq war. Considered that for a moment. "Martyring" their children in this way would ensure a ticket to paradise. I think if these countries get nukes, they will USE nukes.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan concidering their countries one, really explains alot in reguards as to why we continue to let Pakistan slide for harboring the Al-Quida terrorists.
Folks, the rhetoric is ratcheting up. Why do you think the sensational news that Saudi Arabia would acquire a "nuke" has made the headlines? It is my opinion that the world will NOT allow Iran to move ANY FURTHER in its attempts to build a nuclear weapon.
Now, it is only a matter of timing when the West [incl. M.E. allies] destroy any capabilities the Iranians are working towards.
Advanced F-15's to Saudi Arabia, Patriot missle systems in place in Israel, U.S. RNEP's and newer MOP's... tick tock
We really only have one recourse it seems .... Rambo will have to go to Iran and kick some ass . Sad state of affairs , only a few years ago John Wayne and the N.R.A. could have accomplished the same feat by merely holding a news conference displaying their revolvers and lever action rifles .( A little known fact , except in the British press , Muslim terrorists shiver in fear at the prospect of dueling with N.R.A. gunslingers ).
I aint got that many bullets. Can I borrow a few?
ok all you jew haters out there, let's here all about how this is great, because Israel has them, so of course everyone else has to have them.
(never mind the fact that Israel has never used them, and has never started a war with anyone, even though they are constantly attacked by neo-muslims)
I wonder if it is even true.We have been so bombarded with propaganda to get us to war with Iran-nothing but lies just like Iraq. Stop the wars -Ron Paul 2012 and Saudi Arabia will not need it. If the Holy Land gets nuked -there will be peace in the Middle East.
Obammy is that you!??????.. Sure sounds like YOU!...
You can NOT deal with a MAD Dog with Rabies!... They NEED TO BE PUT DOWN!... Let their be NO DOUBT!, Iran will use Nukes if they get Them!... Why Waite for WHAT!??????, Destruction and Fall out!??????.......
if iran gets a usable nuke then its neighbors should destroy them immediately. they have stated many times that they want to wipe the jews off the map.. If i were in charge of israel I would strike now and worry about who got mad later iran is the bully in the area has made continued threats to strike the U.S and israel. I'm tired of hearing about all the camels humpers. all iran is ..... is another hitler so F them its time they leave the planet
The iranians aren't stupid. They will develop and build nuclear weapons, but won't conduct a test that will reveal the actual existence of the weapons. They need to be stopped NOW, before they start handing nuclear bombs to terrorist groups.
Wouldn't hurt my feelings any, but the fallout from a nuke detonating would circumnavigate the entire planet. No where on this earth would safe from the repercussions.
John that is exactly how they plan to deploy them. 'Handing nuclear bombs to terrorists groups'. Any country could be the target. Then the test will be complete.
I suspect a "big lie " conspiracy brewing here . Probably fermented by that well known trio of crap stirrers known as the G.O.P./S.C. C./P.W.H. cartel ( Republicans/Shriner Car Clowns/Peewee Herman ). Same propaganda as was stirred up by Elijah , Mohammad , Nostradamus and the Three Rivers Christian Revival and Pot Luck Dinner Assemblage . Get a grip folks , this is Saber Rattling 101 brought to you by the good folks at Haliburton , Inc.
Just like all liberal Socialist!... Just start name calling!... That will fix it ALL!... Hahahahahahahahahahahahalol!.............
One time in History the United States Was under the SAME GUN!.... Oh Yah I forget The Liberal Socialist DO NOT TEACH REAL HISTORY ANYMORE!... Our LAST REAL Democratic President SAVED our country from this Fate!... We were at the BRINK OF NUCLEAR WAR Though!... HE did NOT BLINK and SAVED US!... Obammy is a PUNK!... This will NOT happen this Time!...
Yawn...
I Get It!, YOU SLEPT THROUGH SCHOOL!..... Good luck!...
Meanwhile, the zionist-led israeli government sits behind the scenes laughing at all the chaos their never ending policy of expansionism leads to..., and they already have the nuclear bomb!!!
IT is zionist israel that needs to be ORDERED BY THE WORLD to disarm.
So your a Muslim Too!.... Who wants to Destroy Israel Too!...
Israel is surrounded by countries that are progressively being pushed towards radical Islam, the real threat to this planet, and more Muslim countries are now acquiring nuclear weapons. The perverted philosophy of Islam, that everyone should be part of that faith or die, could soon lead to near global destruction.
Yeah, Merridian (sic)- But the imperial global hegemony wrought by the U.S. has nothing to do with anything, right?
Wow, the amateurs are out in force today!!!!
the world is overpopulated anyway.
May one of Irans Nukes come to a City Near YOU!....
as long as you are there visiting...i will due my part for humanity.at least i won't have to hear your 20 posts on the same article saying the same thing over and over and over...liberal socialist bla bla bla
Nukes for Sale!
And who do you suppose Saudi Arabia would be buying the nukes from??
Hmmmmmmmmmmm....