Saudi Arabia want to have Nuclear Weapons

Frustrated with neighbors who have or are suspected of developing nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia's oil-rich country also aims to have these weapons of mass destruction.

This is revealed in the statement of former intelligence chief of Saudi Arabia Prince Turki Al-Faisal at a security forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

"Our efforts and the rest of the world have failed to convince Israel to abandon weapons of mass destruction, as well as Iran. Therefore, it is our obligation to the nation and people to consider all available options, including having a weapon of this type," said Faisal, who said, the only nuclear disaster will affect everyone in the world.

Israel had been believed to be the only country in the Middle East that has nuclear weapons, and even save hundreds of missiles with nuclear warheads. Israel itself has never confirmed nor denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, Israel and Western countries believe Iran is currently developing nuclear weapons under the cover of a nuclear program for civilian purposes. Iran has always denied the allegations.

Riyadh, which has repeatedly voiced fears of the threat of a nuclear Iran and denounced Israel's nuclear capabilities, has increased its efforts to develop nuclear technology for "peaceful purposes".

Coordinator civilian nuclear agency Saudi Arabia Abdul Ghani Malibari said last June that Riyadh plans to build 16 civilian nuclear reactors in the next 20 years at a cost of 300 billion riyals. According to him, Saudi Arabia will launch an international invitation to tender for the construction of a nuclear reactor, which will be used as power generation and seawater desalination process.