JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s leaders sought assurances on Wednesday that the United States stands firmly against Iranian “interference” in the Middle East, during a visit by Defence Secretary Ashton Carter.

Carter arrived as part of a regional tour trying to allay the concerns of US allies that Iran could still be able to develop an atomic weapon despite an agreement reached this month between Tehran and six major powers led by Washington.

The US defence secretary met King Salman, then held talks with the king’s powerful son Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is defence minister and second-in-line to the throne.

Gulf states are wary of the overtures to Tehran by Washington, their traditional defence partner.

Riyadh and its neighbours believe the deal will only embolden Iran, which they accuse of meddling in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

Anwar Eshki, chairman of the Jeddah-based Centre for Strategic and Legal Studies, said he believed Carter would try to “reassure the Gulf countries, and the kingdom especially, that the US will not allow Iran to carry out activities that will destabilise the Middle East”. He said Saudi Arabia would talk about boosting its defences and “how to confront Iran” if destabilising actions increase as a result of the nuclear deal.

The agreement, which ended a 13-year standoff, requires Iran to curb its nuclear capabilities including the number of uranium centrifuges.

International monitors will supervise the process, which in exchange will reduce sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy.

Saudi Arabia and Israel are “on the same page” with their concerns about the agreement, a Western diplomatic source said.

The deal would see Iran’s oil exports gradually resume and billions of dollars in frozen assets unblocked.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who Carter met on Tuesday, has voiced fears the nuclear deal will help fund Iranian “aggression.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2015

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