How Trump’s Saudi deal could spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle EastRiyadh has previously said it will only seek to acquire a nuclear weapon if its rival Iran develops one. Eight years later, Saudi Arabia announced a historic deal with President Donald Trump to use American technology and expertise to develop a civilian nuclear programme. More than a week after announcing the deal though, its future is uncertain with Trump declaring that Saudi Arabia must recognise Israel in return. For Saudi Arabia, the agreement follows two decades of stop-start negotiations. Saudi ArabiaWhile Saudi Arabia has been open about its willingness to secure a nuclear deterrent, previous attempts to do so have proven unsuccessful.