Saudi University Dean: We Need to Develop Nuclear Weapons to Create Balance of Power with Iran

In a recent Saudi TV interview, Abdul Rahman Al-Otaiby, a dean at the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, said that Saudi Arabia had to develop nuclear weapons in order to create a balance of power with Iran. Al-Otaiby, speaking on the Saudi 2 TV channel on May 19, advocated taking the offensive, saying: Force is the right thing, in politics, at least.

Following are excerpts:

Abdul Rahman Al-Otaiby: At the end of the day, we need to develop ourselves. We cannot rely on others. He is right, Mr. Muhammmad. We need to develop our nuclear capability. I think I have to say this honestly, because Iran will not stop [its nuclear program]. I remember about two or three weeks ago, the Middle East newspaper brought a whole profile about a nuclear plan that was not discussed in the negotiations between Iran and the P5+1.

Interviewer: You mean that it was withheld. Was it withheld or just ignored?

Abdul Rahman Al-Otaiby: With so much details… I was surprised that these things underground are running…

Interviewer: Undetected…

Abdul Rahman Al-Otaiby: To produce these things, these nuclear weapons… This plant – especially this plant – was not mentioned in the negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran. So this is a big problem.

Interviewer: This is an issue.

Abdul Rahman Al-Otaiby: We have to develop our capability – let me say it frankly, nuclear weapons – to make a balance of power. If there is no balance of power… Even President Barack Obama, last night, at the Camp David Summit – his conclusion was there will be a meeting or some opening between the GCC and Iran in the next couple of months or a year or so. I don’t think we can, because unless Iran goes back to its geographical limit – not in Syria, not in Iraq, not in Lebanon – I don’t think that it is in our interest to be open with Iran, unless Iran respects the international laws.

[…]

If we need to be defending ourselves, we need to be offensive as well.

Interviewer: True.

Al-Otaiby: As Mr. Muhammad said, the "logic of force"… Force is the right thing, in politics, at least.

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