ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council has decided to counter Iran's nuclear program with its own.

GCC leaders announced plans to conduct a feasibility study of a nuclear energy program that would include all six member states. Gulf Arab leaders said any nuclear program would be peaceful.

"The higher committee ordered a GCC-wide study to be carried out to create a joint program in nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, according to international standards and arrangements," a GCC communique said on Dec. 10.

Arab diplomats said the GCC decision was meant to challenge Iran's nuclear program. Teheran, denying full access to the International Atomic Energy Agency, has also insisted that its nuclear program was civilian.

"There is absolutely no need for a nuclear energy program in these oil-rich states," a diplomat said. "But it puts Iran on notice that the GCC will be able to rapidly build a program that could lead to a nuclear weapons option."

[On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert included Israel in a list of nations that possess nuclear weapons. Later, Olmert aides said the prime minister, in an interview with German television, did not confirm reports of Israeli nuclear weapons, rather cited the Jewish state as being one of several responsible nations, including the United States.]

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia said it would not pursue a nuclear energy program, rather focus on research. But over the last few months, Riyad, host of the GCC meeting, has warned that a nuclear Iran would spur Saudi efforts.

"Possessing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes has economic and scientific significance," the Saudi Council of Ministers said on Monday.

[On Monday, Saudi ambassador to the U.S., Prince Turki Al Faisal, told the Bush administration that he was leaving his post. Turki left Washington after 15 months in his post. No formal announcement was issued.]

Saudi Arabia was believed to be the only GCC state conducting nuclear research. In 2003, Riyad was said to have signed an accord with Pakistan for nuclear cooperation. On Tuesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shawkat Aziz arrived in Saudi Arabia with a delegation to discuss cooperation.

"We are announcing our intention to pursue the ownership of nuclear technology for peaceful [purposes]," Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal said. "It is not a threat. It is an announcement so that there will be no misinterpretation for what we are doing. We are not doing this secretly. We are doing it openly."

The most advanced Arab country in nuclear efforts was said to be Algeria. Egypt and Morocco have prepared to launch a nuclear power program.

"The countries of the region have the right to nuclear energy technology for peaceful purposes," GCC chief Abdul Rahman Al Attiya said.