Saudi Arabia Could Normalize Ties with Israel if Iran’s Nuclear Program is Destroyed, Report Suggests

By Benson Ngecu Muriithi

Saudi Arabia may be willing to normalize relations with Israel if the Jewish state successfully eliminates Iran’s nuclear program without triggering a major retaliation, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.

Citing unnamed Israeli officials, the report suggested that Riyadh could view the destruction of Iran’s nuclear capabilities as a game-changing development, removing a key regional threat and paving the way for formal diplomatic ties with Jerusalem.

A Potential Shift in Middle East Dynamics

The report stated: “In the event that Israel actually succeeded in destroying Iran’s nuclear program, some top Israeli officials believe the Saudis would be so enthusiastic about the removal of that threat that they would move to normalize with Jerusalem simply based on that radical outcome and the new cornerstone of regional stability.”

This assessment comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, with the Jewish state repeatedly vowing to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Israel has been accused of conducting covert operations against Iran’s nuclear facilities in the past, including sabotage and cyberattacks.

Saudi-Israel Relations: A Delicate Balance

Saudi Arabia has long maintained a cautious stance toward Israel, refusing to establish formal diplomatic relations without progress in the Palestinian peace process. However, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom has shown increasing openness to normalization, particularly as part of the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which saw the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan establish ties with Israel in 2020.

A successful Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear program could dramatically alter Riyadh’s calculus. Saudi Arabia and Iran are regional rivals, engaged in proxy conflicts across the Middle East, from Yemen to Syria. The elimination of Iran’s nuclear threat could incentivize the Saudis to align more closely with Israel and the U.S.

Challenges and Risks

However, such a scenario carries significant risks. An Israeli attack on Iran could provoke a severe response, potentially leading to a wider regional war. Iran has repeatedly warned that it would retaliate forcefully against any strikes on its nuclear facilities, possibly targeting Israeli and U.S. assets in the region.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia would likely face domestic and regional backlash if it normalized ties with Israel without securing concessions for the Palestinians. Riyadh has insisted that any future deal with Israel must include progress toward Palestinian statehood.

Conclusion

While the destruction of Iran’s nuclear program could accelerate Saudi-Israeli normalization, the path remains fraught with geopolitical and security challenges. For now, Riyadh appears to be waiting to see how the situation develops—both in terms of Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Israel’s next moves.

If Israel succeeds in neutralizing Iran’s nuclear threat without sparking a broader conflict, it could mark a historic turning point in Middle East diplomacy, reshaping alliances and redrawing the region’s strategic map.

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