Saudi Arabia Pakistan Nuclear Pact

Saudi Arabia & Pakistan Sign Defense Pact, Including Nuclear Weapons Access

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a defense pact, potentially involving Pakistani nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, the White House is negotiating security assurances for Saudi Arabia, similar to those given to Qatar. This comes as Saudi Arabia plans to enrich uranium, a move that contrasts with Iran's reluctance to sign a new nuclear agreement with the US.

The Saudi-Pakistani pact, signed recently, includes provisions for Saudi Arabia to access Pakistani nuclear weapons if necessary. This development has raised concerns, with some arguing that encouraging others to make nuclear fuel is more alarming than Tehran's nuclear fuel production.

The US has been involved in negotiations, with the Pentagon even bombing Iran in June due to fears about nuclear fuel-making leading to nuclear bomb-making. The Trump administration previously insisted on Iran dismantling its uranium enrichment program entirely. However, Iran maintains its right to make nuclear fuel, a stance not explicitly addressed in the NPT. Congress has previously refused to help Iran enrich uranium due to safety concerns.

Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is set to visit the White House on Nov. 18 to sign a formal US-Saudi nuclear cooperative agreement. This move comes despite Iran's refusal to sign a new nuclear agreement with the US, despite repeated demands and negotiations.

The Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defense pact and Saudi Arabia's plans to enrich uranium have significant implications for regional security. The US, through its negotiations and security assurances, aims to manage these developments. However, Iran's refusal to sign a new nuclear agreement with the US adds complexity to the situation.