Saudi Arabia has made no secret that they intend to do whatever they must to protect their people in the event that Iran obtains full nuclear capabilities. However, while they would not outright admit their own pursuit of nukes, it is apparent that they would have no choice but to go that route.

The source explains that Obama has made it possible for Iran to be free to pursue their obvious nuclear ambitions (in 2030), so should Saudi Arabia begin to make preparations for what will be the inevitable? It would be in their best interests, but it would be a long-shot for it to be sanctioned. The source correctly points out that North Korea is a perfect example of a “diseased regime” that can be shielded by nuclear capabilities. Surely the belligerent government of Iran would fit that mold, although their geographic region makes them a much more dangerous threat.

An editorial in a pro-Saudi government newspaper as well as the words of Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister suggest that the Sunni kingdom may be considering aiming to develop a nuclear capability timed to coincide with the expiration of the international nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia’s archrival Iran.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir gave an interview to Reuters Tuesday, during which he avoided ruling out the possibility that the Saudis could pursue developing a nuclear bomb.

Reuters reported:

Asked in an exclusive interview if Saudi Arabia had discussed seeking a nuclear bomb in the event Iran managed to obtain one despite its atomic deal, he said Saudi Arabia would do “whatever we need to do in order to protect our people”.

“I don’t think it would be logical to expect us to discuss any such issue in public and I don’t think it would be reasonable to expect me to answer this question one way or another,” he said.

A Sunday editorial in the Saudi pro-government daily paper Al-Riyadh set out a “road map” for constructing nuclear reactors for peaceful purposes timed to the expiration of the Iran deal.

The Middle East Media Research Institute published excerpts of the editorial titled, “What Will Happen in 15 Years?” which pointed to the year 2031 when the Iran deal’s restrictions are lifted and Iran might be free to pursue nuclear weapons.

A Saudi nuclear program would be one way of countering Iran’s potential future progress in nuclear weapons, the editorial suggested.

“In 2031, [this] nuclear agreement will be consigned to the U.N. archives, and Iran will be free to do whatever it pleases regarding its nuclear program,” the editorial said. “This, because most of the restrictions imposed [on Iran] by the articles of this agreement expire in 15 years. In the interim, Iran will enrich uranium to a level of no more than 3.67 percent, which is the safe level. But what happens after 15 years?”