Former consul warns US-Saudi nuclear deal may lead to arms race, Trump caught in 'escalation trap'

Yaki Dayan, former Israeli consul in Los Angeles, warned that a proposed US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement could trigger a regional arms race. Speaking to 103FM, Dayan highlighted that the deal reportedly grants Saudi Arabia a two-year trial period for independent uranium enrichment, a provision not included in the 2009 UAE agreement. He suggested that US President Donald Trump's motivation is largely economic, with American companies set to receive billions. Dayan also stated that Trump is caught in an "escalation trap" with Iran, having not fulfilled his promise to end Iran's nuclear program and now needing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before addressing the nuclear issue. He concluded that the ongoing confrontation is unpopular in the US, impacting oil prices and midterm elections.