Obama, Saudi FM meet to discuss Iran deal
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter expected to visit Riyadh and Jerusalem in coming days
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama and Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister discussed the Iranian nuclear deal at the White House on Friday.
The White House said the meeting occurred at the request of Saudi King Salman, who spoke with Obama by phone earlier in the week. Saudi Arabia is among the Gulf nations wary of the nuclear accord.
In an op-ed this week, a Saudi prince criticized the accord, saying it would “wreak havoc” in the region. Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan said the final nuclear accord with Iran is worse than the one the US made with North Korea in 1994, and that Obama must know he is making a bad deal.
The White House says the meeting between Obama and Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir focused on building stronger partnerships and enhancing regional security. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter is expected to continue those conversations when he visits Saudi Arabia next week.
Carter is also expected to visit Israel, another vocal opponent of the deal, over the weekend.
The White House says Obama and al-Jubeir also discussed the crises in Yemen and Syria.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to meet with Gulf leaders early next month to discuss the Iranian deal.