The Biden administration’s goal of supporting Saudi Arabia’s nuclear program could end with the country weaponizing its nuclear capabilities in an arms race against Iran.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on Thursday to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia and increase U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s nuclear program. We are planning to discuss an agreement that includes this. according to To Axios. Although the nuclear program is for civilian purposes such as energy production, MBS warned that Saudi Arabia would abandon the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Iran will also create nuclear weapons if it obtains them. (Related: Biden administration rushes to tell Tehran it is ‘not involved’ in Israeli attack on Iranian general: report)
Iran and Saudi Arabia are I’m in trouble The relationship was until recently Restore Although they have established diplomatic relations, they still mistrust each other. He has been vocal about the dangers of nuclear war, and MBS has warned that if Iran develops nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia will too.
“We are concerned about which countries have nuclear weapons…If a country uses nuclear weapons, that means it is at war with the rest of the world.” MBS said on the program. interview on FOX News in September. “if [Iran] Once we get one, we have to get one. ”
clock:
I made MBS similarly. remarks In another interview several years ago, he compared Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to Adolf Hitler and warned that the Iranian government was seeking to expand its power in the Middle East.
“Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb. But without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we would follow suit as soon as possible,” MBS said in a 2018 interview on “60 Minutes.” Ta.
According to reports in February, Iran is rapidly advancing its nuclear program and enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels. report From the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran could theoretically build a nuclear bomb with current resources if it wanted.
According to Axios, regardless of the complications arising from Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Iran, the Biden administration supports the creation of the Saudi nuclear program and is committed to concluding a US-Saudi defense agreement, including a normalization agreement with Israel. It continues to be promoted. The deal could be presented to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who would have to make certain concessions to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia, including pledging to create an independent Palestinian state. Maybe.
“I have been working with Saudi Arabia… They are ready to fully recognize Israel, fully recognize Israel for the first time,” Biden said during the campaign. reception Thursday will feature former Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. “But we need a post-Gaza plan here, we need posts, we need a train to a two-state solution.”
According to Axios, if the Biden administration is to pursue a deal with Saudi Arabia, it will also need approval from the U.S. Senate, but there are many challenges given the current political dynamics in Congress. Sullivan is scheduled to discuss the deal with MBS in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, a day after several other Biden administration officials arrive in the region.
The National Security Council did not respond to requests for comment.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
