On September 21, 2023, the Saudi crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, cautioned during his aired interview with Fox News, that Saudi Arabia may reluctantly feel compelled to develop its nuclear arsenal if its longstanding rival Iran acquires nuclear weapons. He affirmed that the kingdom will not allow Tehran to exceed the nuclear armament threshold without a proportional response.
The freewheeling discssion with Fox News marked MBS’s first in English and aimed at signaling Saudi Arabia’s position to a western audience. His interview underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing security concerns about Iran and its readiness for a breakthrough agreement with Israel, in return for ensuring safety measures from Washington. The prerequisites for this accord includes establishment of a civilian nuclear program within Saudi Arabia incorporating uranium enrichment, a reciprocrative defense agreement with the United States, and substantial arms deals, according to numerous reports.
MBS explained the criticality of restoring peace in the Palestinain region in the context of normalization efforts with Israel. He was guardedly positive about potential discussions with Israel to de-escalate tensions for Palestinians, nevertheless no specifics were provided on what form of settlement Saudi Arabia envisions.
In the context of Iran obtaining nuclear capabilities, MBS was unequivocally clear: “We too need to acquire one”, showing a no-compromise policy on Saudi Arabia’s defense strategies. He further debunked speculative media reports that suggested a possible halt in negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the U.S on normalizing relations with Israel, asserting that the negotiations are progressively moving closer to an agreement every day.
Saudi Arabia’s increased focus on sports as an investment sector has also sparked compelling debates about its implications. MBS defended these accusations forthrightly, projecting a dismissive take on “sportswashing” allegations with a characterisitc nonchalance.
MBS expressed deep regret during his conversation with Bret Baeir about 9/11, the tragic terror attack in which 15 hijackers were Saudi citizens. Speaking of the heinous crime planned by Osama bin Laden, MBS reaffirmed that bin Laden and his terror organization, al-Qaeda, were shared enemies of Saudi Arabia and the US.
The shadowy episode of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder in the Saudi Embassy in Istanbul was a poignant point raised during the interview. MBS reiterated his previous claim affirming his lack of direct involvement in the journalist’s murder, but admitted the occurrence of the “painful” incident under his leadership, pledging to enact comprehensive reforms.
MBS also elaborated on Saudi Arabia’s sustained oil production slashing to stabilize market conditions and stated that it was not an intentional move to aid Russia in its Ukrainian conflict.
MBS appeared enthusiastic about the recent camaraderie with US President Joe Biden during the G20 summit. He optimistically asserted the promising impact of the strategic India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, noting that it would enable cost and time-effective transfer of goods.
In a conversation with Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York, the leaders looked ahead to a probable agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Reflecting upon the peace prospects in the Arab-Israel conflict, Netanyahu confirmed that both parties are digging deeper into a potential framework for diplomatic relationships.
According to the Wall Street Journal, progress towards an agreement would enable Saudi Arabia to start its civil nuclear program whilst securing significant concessions for Palestinians. The report quoting senior Israeli and American officials reveals that a consensus allowing Saudi Arabia to develop its uranium enriching programme could be on the horizon. However, this would make Saudi Arabia the second country in West Asia, after Iran, to publicly admit possessing uranium enrichment capabilities.
While the tentative framework of the deal is shrouded in complexities, consistent progress and the convergence of the right conditions could potentially bridge the prevailing gaps by early 2024, as per the affirmations of Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.
Retired diplomat Nimrod Barkan suggests the character of the American offer to the Saudis is pivotal. If the U.S supports Saudi Arabia in establishing a nuclear power plant for electricity generation, Israel may come on board. However, Israel will likely oppose a reactor that produces nuclear weapon material.
The evolving narrative continues to shape up, necessitating updates to keep up with changing geopolitical dynamics.
