Wednesday, July 22, 2015

US Defence Secretary Meets With Saudi King To Discuss Iran Nuclear Deal



Washington Post: Carter vows to help Saudi Arabia contain Iran’s regional ambitions

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi and U.S. leaders agreed Wednesday to curb Iran’s military reach across the Middle East, amid fears that last week’s nuclear deal with Tehran would encourage it to pursue more aggressive regional ambitions.

Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter held talks with Saudi Arabia’s king and its defense minister in the seaside city of Jiddah, where Saudi officials have decamped for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, as he tours Middle Eastern nations anxious about the Iran accord.

As the region’s largest Sunni power, Saudi Arabia has privately issued warnings about the deal, which curbs Shiite Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of economic sanctions, and those warnings carry weight in Washington. At the end of the Iran nuclear talks, the Saudi government threatened “harsh and determined responses” if Tehran used the proceeds of sanctions relief to enhance support for proxy groups in the region, including Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen.

More News On Today's Meeting Between U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter And The King Of Saudi Arabia

Saudis seek US reassurance on Iran deal. -- AFP
Pentagon chief tells Saudi Arabia: Iran threat is shared concern -- Reuters
Saudi leaders seek US reassurance on Iran deal in meeting with Ashton Carter -- The Guardian
Saudi Arabia Welcomes Iran Nuclear Deal, U.S. Defense Chief Says -- NYT

1 comment:

Unknown said...

" This is beyond stunning. How can U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry give classified briefings on the Iranian nuclear deal when he has not even seen the key parts of it? I have been following international affairs and diplomacy for almost 35 years .... and I have never seen anything like this."

The sent the Secd Def. Good thing because it does not look like Kerry knows much.