Escalating Nuclear Tensions: Who's Next After Iran?
The Iran conflict has fueled nuclear ambitions across the Middle East. Experts warn Saudi Arabia and Turkey could be next in line for nuclear weapons, heightening the threat of regional war.
The fallout from the ongoing conflict with Iran has raised the specter of a broader nuclear arms race in the Middle East. With nuclear sites in Iran and Israel coming under attack, and tensions simmering across the region, experts warn that other countries may soon decide they need nuclear weapons for their own security.
Saudi Arabia and Turkey are two key players in the region that could be tempted to pursue nuclear programs of their own in the wake of the Iran crisis. Both countries have the economic and technological resources to develop nuclear weapons, and the regional rivalries and existential threats they face may provide sufficient motivation.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}} >"The threat of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East is very real," said Dr. Samantha Custer, a nuclear policy expert at the Institute for Strategic Studies. "Countries that feel threatened by Iran's capabilities, or want to project power in the region, may decide that developing their own nuclear deterrent is the best way to protect their interests."
Saudi Arabia in particular has been vocal about its desire to match Iran's nuclear program. The kingdom has invested heavily in civilian nuclear power, and there are concerns that this could be a stepping stone to weapons development. Turkey, meanwhile, hosts American nuclear weapons as part of NATO, but may decide it needs to have its own indigenous nuclear force to counter regional rivals.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}} >"We're in uncharted territory here," said Dr. Khalid Al-Falih, a former Saudi energy minister. "The Middle East has never had to grapple with the prospect of multiple nuclear-armed states before. The stakes are incredibly high, and the potential for miscalculation and conflict is very real."
Ultimately, whether Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or other regional powers decide to pursue nuclear weapons will depend on a complex mix of geopolitical, security, and domestic political factors. But the trajectory is clear: the Middle East appears to be headed towards a nuclear arms race, with all the attendant risks and instability that entails.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}} >As the world grapples with the fallout from the Iran conflict, the specter of further nuclear proliferation in the Middle East looms large. Policymakers will need to tread carefully in the months and years ahead to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
Source: Deutsche Welle
