The Documentary Podcast Nuclear tensions in the Middle East
Oct 5, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Barry Sadeed, a BBC Monitoring contributor, dives into Iran's nuclear history, detailing how its ambitions have evolved since the Shah's era. Shaina Oppenheimer sheds light on Israel's ambiguous nuclear strategy and how it frames the Iranian threat as existential. Florence Dixon explores Saudi Arabia's nuclear aspirations and its strategic shifts, while Nihan Kale examines Turkey's nuclear stance amidst regional tensions. Together, they unravel the intricate web of nuclear politics in the Middle East, reflecting on global security implications.
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Ukraine War Reignited Nuclear Fears
- Russia's invasion of Ukraine rekindled Cold War–style fears and reshaped global nuclear perceptions.
- The conflict has ripple effects that revive regional nuclear ambitions and anxieties in the Middle East.
Iran's Nuclear Roots Precede The Revolution
- Barry Sadeed traces Iran's nuclear story back to the Shah era and early US assistance.
- He highlights continuity between the Shah's and the Islamic Republic's public rhetoric about rights to nuclear energy.
Religious Ban Shaped Iran's Official Doctrine
- Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa banning weapons of mass destruction, shaping post-revolution doctrine.
- That religious prohibition influenced Iran's official stance even as covert factions explored weapon options.