Gulf States Want More Weapons And U.S. Security Guarantees

Image: Member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council

Wall Street Journal: Gulf States Want U.S. Assurances and Weapons in Exchange for Supporting Iran Nuclear Deal

Regional leaders seek quid pro quo of fighters, missile batteries, surveillance equipment

WASHINGTON—Leading Persian Gulf states want major new weapons systems and security guarantees from the White House in exchange for backing a nuclear agreement with Iran, according to U.S. and Arab officials.

The leaders of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, plan to use a high-stakes meeting with President Barack Obama later this month to request additional fighter jets, missile batteries and surveillance equipment.

They also intend to pressure Mr. Obama for new defense agreements between the U.S. and the Gulf nations that would outline terms and scenarios under which Washington would intervene if they are threatened by Iran, according to these officials.

WNU Editor: If this report is accurate .... it tells me that these Arab states have accepted (reluctantly) that an Iranian nuclear deal has been agreed to .... and these countries are now looking at what happens next. My prediction .... the Gulf Cooperation Council is going to get what they want, and Israel in turn will be receiving even more U.S. military aid and equipment to compensate what the Gulf states will be receiving.