Saudi Arabia will develop a nuclear bomb if its arch-rival Iran does so, the kingdom's Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammed Bin Salman has told a television news channel.

"Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible," Prince Mohammed has told US television network CBS in an interview.

The kingdom is embroiled in a conflict with Iran for influence across the Middle East and beyond, is stepping up plans to develop a nuclear energy capability as part of a reform plan led by Prince Mohammed to reduce the economy's dependence on oil.

The Saudi government on 13 March approved the nuclear programme proposed by the King Abdullah City for Atomic & Renewable Energy (KA-Care).

Riyadh has also started the process of soliciting interest for its first nuclear power plant. MEED reported in December that KA-Care had received request for information (RFI) from a number of the world’s largest nuclear power providers including the US’ Westinghouse, France’s EDF and Russia’s Rosatom.

The world's top oil exporter has previously said it wants to develop its nuclear capabilities for peaceful usage only.

Prince Mohammed’s interview with Norah O’Donnell for CBS’ ’60 Minutes’ programme will be broadcast by the channel on 18 March. The preview of the interview was aired today.