Saudi intelligence chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz on Thursday directly blamed Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal for provoking a regional atomic weapons race.
"The fact that Israel has nuclear arms constitutes the most dangerous strategic threat for the security of the Gulf in the short and medium terms," the prince said in a speech to a Gulf security conference in Manama.
By Suleiman Nimr
Leaders of the six Gulf Arab states were to meet Saturday for a two-day annual summit amid growing concern over the potential fallout of sectarian unrest in Iraq and fears of a regional nuclear arms race.
"Repercussions over developments in Iran's nuclear programme and over the dangerous security situation in Iraq on the six Gulf Cooperation Council members will be the focus of the summit," GCC secretary general Abdelrahman Al-Attiya told AFP ahead of the conference opening.
The GCC states -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- "fear failure in international talks and contacts with Iran on its nuclear programme and the subsequent imposition of sanctions", said a high-ranking GCC official.
"If sanctions are imposed (by the UN Security Council) on Iran, the GCC states will have to abide by them, which will annoy Iran," added the official under cover of anonymity.
"The United States talks openly of the danger of Iranian military activity in the region, but our countries do not feel threatened by Tehran. Iranian officials assure us that their nuclear programme is peaceful," said Attiya.
Saudi intelligence chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz on Thursday directly blamed Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal for provoking a regional atomic weapons race.
"The fact that Israel has nuclear arms constitutes the most dangerous strategic threat for the security of the Gulf in the short and medium terms," the prince said in a speech to a Gulf security conference in Manama.
The West suspects the Islamic republic is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge denied by Tehran.
The Jewish state is widely considered to be the Middle East's sole nuclear armed power, but has never confirmed or denied its arsenal, and continues to campaign against arch-foe Iran's nuclear programme.
But Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's comments Wednesday that Tehran is "one step away from the (nuclear) zenith" will not reassure GCC states.
"His remarks raise an important question," the Saudi daily Al-Bilad said Thursday, expressing concern over the "possible fallout for the region's smaller countries".
In June, GCC foreign ministers said they feared a radioactive leak from Iran's nuclear facilities would be catastrophic for the Gulf environment.
The GCC is also very concerned about Iran's growing influence in Iraq, especially over the powerful Shiite militias there.
"We believe there is a plan to divide Iraq," Attiya said, adding that "foreigners want to implement this plan to erase the Arab identity of Iraqis".
He sought to play down growing worries about increased Shiite influence in GCC member states.
"The citizens of Gulf states, Sunni or Shiite, have the same rights and obligations," he said.
All GCC heads of state will attend the summit, Attiya added. Their talks will focus on "developments in the Palestinian territories, the exceptional circumstances in Lebanon, and issues between member states", he said.
