Saudi Arabia is in the news, yet again, for some of its leaders claiming they will pursue a nuclear weapon if Iran attains them as well. Putting aside whether Iran will actually obtain nuclear weapons, it is very unlikely Saudi Arabia will build its own bomb.

1. Sanctions

First, the international community has shown incredible resolve in enacting sanctions against nations seeking to develop weapons of mass destruction. From Iran to Iraq to Pakistan, all received this blunt impact. Admittedly, Saudi Arabia’s oil supply is larger than Iran and Iraq’s making the prospect of sanctions less likely. However, the West can still enforce financial sanctions. Western companies are not too particularly reliant on investing in Saudi Arabia. But, as the Saudi Arabian government seeks to find employment for its large youth population and diversify its economy away from oil, foreign direct investment becomes even more important to them. Without the constant stream of jobs, the population is at risk of becoming restive.

2. Arms Sales Cut Off

Next, the United States will have no tolerance for additional nuclear development in the region. As the country’s primary arms provider, the US will immediately cut off sales to Saudi Arabia if its government were to begin building the bomb. Nor will any other countries come to Saudi Arabia’s rescue to substitute for the US. Russia, long favoring Iran as its client state, surely will not come to the side of Saudi Arabia so that it can develop weapons.

3. No Infrastructure

Lastly, Saudi Arabia simply lacks any of the necessary infrastructure, civilian or military. Although the country has begun to make steps to develop nuclear energy to meet the country’s future demands, it is at least a decade away from weaponization. If Iran were to hypothetically arm itself with nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia would be incredibly behind. At that point, it would be more favorable for the Kingdom to appeal to the United States as a guarantor of its security than pursue weapons themselves.

Saudi Arabia can huff and puff all it wants about Iran, but in the end, they won’t build the bomb.