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Apr 17, 2021
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Fmr. Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince Turki Al-Faisal: I Do Not Believe The JCPOA Will Stop Iran From Obtaining Nuclear Weapons; GCC Countries Have The Capabilities To Obtain Nuclear Weapons In Response

#8790 | 02:37
Source: Al-Arabiya Network (Dubai/Saudi Arabia)

Former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to the U.S. Prince Turki Al-Faisal said that he does not believe that the JCPOA will stop Iran from gaining nuclear capabilities. He made these remarks in an interview that aired on Al-Arabiya Network (Saudi Arabia) on April 17, 2021. Prince Al-Faisal elaborated that the fact that Iran continued to enrich uranium even while the nuclear deal was in effect proves that what it really wants is to obtain nuclear weapons. He said that if the GCC countries decide that they too must obtain nuclear weapons in response, they have the capabilities to do so. For more information about Prince Turki Al-Faisal, see MEMRI TV clips Nos. 7307, 6494, 5565, 4064, 3246, and 3110.

Interviewer: "Do you believe that the JCPOA will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon? You said before that the Gulf countries should prepare for a nuclear Iran."

Turki Al-Faisal: "I don't believe that [the JCPOA] will [stop Iran]. Even in the first agreement, there were indications that the agreement only delayed by 10-15 years - depends on who interprets it - Iran's uranium enrichment and other nuclear activities. This hiatus is about to end. If they return to the JCPOA in its current form, we will only have 5-7 years before Iran restores its nuclear activity. Iran did not stop enriching uranium even when the agreement was in effect. This is very dangerous. It indicates that what Iran really wants is to obtain nuclear weapons."

Interviewer: "Are Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries capable of obtaining nuclear weapons in response to Iran?"

Al-Faisal: "I have no information about this. I am not privy to the capabilities..."

Interviewer: "According to the statements we hear, if Iran obtains nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabi will respond in kind. But Your Highness, in the framework of the international relations system, it is easy to obtain nuclear weapons?"

Al-Faisal: "Many things are not easy, but if people are determined, they can do it, with the help of Allah. If the GCC countries decide to do such a thing, I believe that they have the capabilities to do it."

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