Article In Saudi Government Daily: Saudi Arabia Has A Legitimate Right To Develop Nuclear Weapons

In a September 1, 2024 article in the Saudi government daily Okaz, Shiite Lebanese sheikh Muhammad Al-Husseini, who also has Saudi citizenship and is known for his opposition to Iran and Hizbullah,[1] writes that  Saudi Arabia has "a legitimate right" to develop and attain nuclear weapons, and in fact has "an urgent need" to do so in light of the growing threats it is facing and Iran's rapid progress towards nuclear capabilities. Establishing a nuclear balance of deterrence in the region, he says, will enhance regional stability and cause the kingdom's enemies to think twice before taking aggressive measures against it. He therefore urges the region's countries to take "collective action" to ensure that no country in the region has a nuclear advantage over any other.

Al-Husseini's article comes against the backdrop of reports in the recent months that Iran is making rapid strides towards producing sufficient material for a nuclear bomb, as well as statements by Iranian officials that this country is on the cusp of building such a bomb.[2]  In fact, over the years Saudi Arabia has expressed concern about Iran's nuclear program and interest in developing nuclear capabilities of its own.[3]  In September 2023, Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS) said in an interview with Fox News that, if Iran attains a nuclear weapon, his country "will [also] have to get one, for security reasons [and] for balancing power."[4]

Al-Husseini's article also seems to come against the backdrop of growing international acceptance of Saudi Arabia's ambition to develop civilian nuclear technology as part of MBS' Vision 2030, aimed at reducing the kingdom's dependence on oil. In an August 31, 2024 interview with Al-Arabiya TV, Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), characterized these ambitions as "legitimate."[5]  Saudi Arabia has made normalization with Israel conditional upon developing a nuclear program, and has apparently obtained the consent of the U.S. and Israel for this move.[6]  In May 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia were "very close" to concluding a set of agreements on nuclear energy, security and defense cooperation.[7] It should also be noted that, in 2020, it was reported that Saudi Arabia had built a facility with the aid of China for the extraction of uranium yellowcake, a necessary step in the production of uranium for any purpose. [8]

Muhammad Al-Husseini (Image: Okaz, Saudi Arabia)

The following are translated excerpts from Al-Husseini's article:[9]

"Nuclear weapons are currently considered one of the main tools for ensuring the security of nations and protecting them from external aggression. Acquiring nuclear capabilities can guarantee national security as it deters any offensive intentions, creates a balance [of deterrence], and increases stability in the region. In light of the vast developments in weaponry on the one hand and the growing security threats on the other, I believe that Saudi Arabia urgently needs to acquire nuclear weapons. [I also believe] it has a legitimate right, given the increasing threats against it, to decide to obtain nuclear weapons in order to safeguard its security and existence…

"Nuclear weapons are one of the most important factors in strategies of national security, as they can change the balance of power in the region. Nuclear capability allows countries that possess it to deter their enemies and strengthen their position on the international stage in the long term. It also enhances the stability of these countries, as it causes their enemies to think twice before taking aggressive action.

"Iran is working to advance its nuclear program, and is apparently approaching its goal. In light of the concerns about developments in the nuclear policy of the region's [countries], Saudi Arabia, which does not currently possess nuclear weapons, is entitled to discuss this issue.

"A nuclear balance in the Middle East is essential in order to halt the arms race, because, if various countries continue to develop their nuclear programs without oversight, this will undermine security and increase tension. Therefore, there must be a collective effort to ensure that no country has a nuclear advantage over any other. Achieving such a balance will no doubt help prevent war and enhance stability.

"Saudi Arabia has a legitimate right to develop nuclear weapons... It cannot be prevented from doing so while other countries develop their nuclear [capabilities] without restriction. Saudi Arabia’s right to undertake research and development in the nuclear field must be recognized, so that it can play an active role on the global stage, given that nuclear competition has become a reality... At the same time, there is a need for prudent management of the potential dangers associated with nuclear capability..."