Saudi Arabia pledges to create a nuclear bomb if Iran does

TIL Desk/World/Riyadh/ Saudi Arabia has warned that it will develop its own nuclear weapon if regional rival Iran acquires one.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told that his country did not want to acquire nuclear weapons.

“But without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we would follow suit as soon as possible,” he added.

Iran limited its nuclear programme under a 2015 deal with several world powers – but US President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from it.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have long been rivals in the Middle East. Each is dominated by different branches of Islam – Sunni for Saudi Arabia, Shia for Iran – and they have historically supported opposing powers in regional conflicts.

In recent years, tensions have escalated over the wars in Syria and Yemen.