Saudi Arabia and weapons of mass destruction

Map of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has not officially maintained and possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In 1972 Saudi Arabia signed and approved the convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of biological (bacteriological) and toxin weapons.[1][2][3] Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia has made steps towards a nuclear program[4][5] and according to some observations, they can be used to develop nuclear weapons.[6] According to some reports, Riyadh has an alleged deal with Pakistan regarding nuclear weapons projects.[7]

In 2018 Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman confirmed on 60 Minutes that Saudi Arabia would develop nuclear weapons if Iran successfully detonated one, causing widespread distrust of the Saudi Arabian nuclear program.[8][9]

  1. ^ Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction state.gov Retrieved January 22, 2018
  2. ^ Disease as a Weapon: Assessing the international methods of ensuring biological weapons nonproliferation portfolio.du.edu Retrieved January 13, 2018
  3. ^ "Status of the Convention". OPBW. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  4. ^ KSA takes first step towards nuclear plant tender: sources reuters.com Retrieved January 16, 2018
  5. ^ Nuclear Power in Saudi Arabia world-nuclear.org Retrieved January 16, 2018
  6. ^ "Pakistan, Saudi Arabia in secret nuke pact Islamabad trades weapons technology for oil". globalsecurity.org. January 24, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  7. ^ Russell, op. cit, p.72.
  8. ^ "U.S. lawmakers press for oversight of any Saudi nuclear deal". Reuters. February 28, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  9. ^ "Saudi crown prince: If Iran develops nuclear bomb, so will we". www.cbsnews.com. March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2019.

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