Saudi FM discusses Iran nuclear deal with Obama

Published July 18th, 2015 - 07:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

In light of Saudi Arabia's doubts about the Iran nuclear agreement, President Barack Obama met Friday with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

The White House meeting was part of Obama's effort to persuade skeptical allies of the agreement's value. Jubeir met with US Secretary of State John Kerry Thursday, but departed without stating if he endorsed the deal, only suggesting the needs for regular inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities.

Jubeir also expressed his concern Thursday that Iran will use released financial assets, part of a lifting of economic sanctions, to fund militant groups across the Middle East.

"The president did sit down and have a discussion with the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir to discuss a range of regional and bilateral issues, including the recent historic agreement that was announced this week," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

"We hope that the Iranians ... will use this deal in order to improve the economic situation in Iran and to improve the lot of the Iranian people, and not use it for adventures in the region. If Iran should try to cause mischief in the region, we are committed to confront it resolutely," Jubeir said.

The United Nations Security Council is expected to approve the agreement Monday.

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