Saudi Arabia’s new monarch has welcomed Iran’s nuclear deal after a meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington.
King Salman believes the US-brokered deal – which involves Iran dismantling its nuclear programme in exchange for hundreds of billions of dollars in sanctions relief – will contribute to security and stability in the Middle East.
He hopes Iranians will use the money to fund domestic developments rather than hostile activities, his Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir said.
Obama assured King Salman the agreement prevents Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon, includes inspections of military sites, and has a provision for the immediate return of sanctions if the deal is broken, he added.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was satisfied with these assurances after having spent the last two months consulting with our allies,” al Jubeir said.
“We believe this agreement will contribute to security and stability in the region.”
The two leaders also discussed the threat from Islamic State forces, which have captured large areas of Iraq and Syria, as well as the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen, reports Sky News.
Since March, the US has been supporting a Saudi-led intervention against Yemen’s Iran-aided rebels.
But the Obama administration is concerned about the conflict’s rising death toll that is now in the thousands.
Obama assured King Salman the agreement prevents Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon, includes inspections of military sites, and has a provision for the immediate return of sanctions if the deal is broken, he added.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was satisfied with these assurances after having spent the last two months consulting with our allies,” al Jubeir said.
“We believe this agreement will contribute to security and stability in the region.”
The two leaders also discussed the threat from Islamic State forces, which have captured large areas of Iraq and Syria, as well as the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen, reports Sky News.
Since March, the US has been supporting a Saudi-led intervention against Yemen’s Iran-aided rebels.
But the Obama administration is concerned about the conflict’s rising death toll that is now in the thousands.
