A former commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hussein Kanani, has claimed that Saudi Arabia already possesses nuclear weapons, making the allegation during a televised interview amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington. The assertion comes at a time of deepening confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program and growing military posturing across the Middle East.
Kanani stated that Saudi Arabia has a nuclear bomb and that the United States is fully aware of its existence, further alleging that Israel also knows about the capability. He presented the claim as intelligence-based but did not provide evidence, and there has been no official confirmation or response from Saudi Arabia, the United States, or Israel regarding the accusation.
The remarks were delivered against the backdrop of escalating friction between Iran and the US, including disputes over uranium enrichment and sanctions. Washington has increased pressure on Tehran to curb its nuclear and missile programs, while Iran has announced upgrades to its missile arsenal and signaled a shift toward a more assertive military doctrine.
Kanani warned that any direct US military action against Iran could trigger an asymmetric response, suggesting that Tehran might target Israel rather than American bases in an initial retaliatory move. He also raised the possibility of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint, describing it as a measure that could be taken if conflict intensifies.
In addition, the former IRGC commander accused foreign intelligence agencies, including the CIA and Israel’s Mossad, of supporting anti-government protests in Iran, claiming their objective is to destabilize and fragment the country. Iranian authorities have previously made similar accusations during periods of domestic unrest.
Iran continues to insist that its nuclear program is peaceful, even as it has increased uranium enrichment following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement and the reimposition of sanctions. Recent indirect talks between Iranian and US officials have sought to ease tensions, with Tehran emphasizing that any agreement must be achieved through dialogue without pressure.
